Kawagoe’s Hikawa Shrine is dedicated to several gods, including two pairs who are considered to be married couples, so it's popular for weddings. The shrine is believed to have been founded in the middle of the 6th century, but rose in significance in the 15th century, when Kawagoe became an important point on trade routes to Tokyo. The torii (shrine gates) outside are among the tallest in Japan at 50 feet (15 meters) high, and the main temple building is adorned with some beautiful and detailed carvings. Most people visit the Hikawa Shrine while touring the numerous sites of Kawagoe.
Kawagoe is in Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo. Take the Tobu Tojo train line from Ikebukuro to Kawagoe Station, and you'll be there in 30 and 60 minutes, depending on whether you catch a local or express train.
The shrine is beautiful year-round, with seasonal festivals adding to the experience. Between July and September, thousands of colorful wind chimes adorn the temple; they’re lit up at night, which is lovely to see. In August, a traditional noh (Japanese musical drama) performance is held beside a bonfire, and on the third weekend of October, the temple gets lively celebrating the Kawagoe Festival, which is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Kawagoe is commonly known as Little Edo, referring to the name that Tokyo was known by between 1603 and 1868. That’s because it has a lot of Edo-era architecture that has been well-preserved, as Kawagoe wasn’t badly damaged in World War II. Most of these distinctive buildings can be found on Ichibangai Street, not far from the Hikawa Shrine.