Hikawa Shrine and “Ema”, Saitama Omiya

Hikawa Shrine

Hikawa Shrine is a large historical shrine in Omiya, which is easy to access from Tokyo.
Many people visit the shrine at the beginning of the year.
It is located just next to Omiya Park, where many people have come to see the cherry blossoms during this time.

The approach to the shrine is about 2km long.
If you walk from Omiya station, you will enter the approach from the middle.
If you want to walk all the way, it is convenient to come from Saitama Shintoshin Station, which is next to Omiya station.

There is a dango shop on your right on the way of the approach.
Dango is sweets, which is a small dumpling made from rice flour.
If you are hungry, it is a good idea to eat a little.

There is a pond in the precincts, and you will cross the pond to reach to the worship hall.

After passing through this bridge and gate in front, you will see the worship hall.

This is a map of the precincts.

Fukuro Ema

What are these?
I saw them for the first time.
A lot of colorful things are hung near the worship hall.
I hear that this is being called “Fukuro Ema”.
Inside the pouch, paper “Ema” is put with a wish and a name written on it.

Originally, a wooden “Ema” is hung.
However, I hear that it has been changed like this for several years because the wishes and names written on “Ema” can be seen by others.
I think there are some Japanese people who don’t know what it is.
I was surprised that the tendency to protect privacy extends to shrines.

What is “Ema”?

Ema is dedicated to a shrine when praying for something or as a thank-you for fulfilling a wish.
Most of them are wooden boards with pictures.
People write their wish and name on the Ema.
When you finish writing, hang it on the designated place.
Since it is a “dedication”, there is no point in taking it home.

Why don’t you dedicate Fukuro Ema and write your wish on Ema when you visit to Hikawa Shrine?
Your wish may come true.

Access

About 20 minutes on foot from JR Omiya Station.
To Omiya Station, take the JR Takasaki Line or JR Utsunomiya Line for about 33 minutes from Tokyo Station.

【Cat’s Notes】

approach to a shrine	参道（さんどう）
precincts	境内（けいだい）
worship hall	拝殿（はいでん）
There is no point in doing	～するのは意味（いみ）がない