Chichibu Imamiya Jinja

Although it sits within the town of Chichibu, stepping into the grounds of Imamiya Jinja wraps you in clear water and greenery. Its main deity is Hachidai Ryuo, the eight great dragon kings, and the shrine has long been a center of dragon god worship. Within the grounds are the Ryujin Pond and the Seiryu Waterfall, fed by the underground water of Mount Buko, water counted among Japans hundred famous waters of the Heisei era chosen by the Ministry of the Environment. It is said to have been opened as a sacred place about 1,300 years ago by the ascetic En no Gyoja, and alongside the wedded deities Izanagi and Izanami it enshrines many deities rare in the Kanto region, including Hachidai Ryuo and the Mikannagi Hasshin.

Deeply tied to the origins of the Chichibu pilgrimage route, it is a healing spot in the heart of town known for blessings of wealth, good ties, and health.

Highlights

• At the dragon pond you can perform coin washing to cleanse your money, popular with visitors praying for rising fortune
• The sacred tree, said to be over a thousand years old and believed to be the dwelling of the dragon god, is a great zelkova that symbolizes the grounds, and some visitors search for the heart shaped hollow said to lie near its base
• The Seiryu Waterfall and Ryujin Pond, fed by the underground water of Mount Buko, are so pure they seem to cleanse the heart just to watch, and you may also receive the sacred water
• Goshuin seals and amulets with a dragon motif make welcome keepsakes of a visit

Enjoying the Seasons

Spring dyes the grounds in fresh green, while summer turns the waterside into a cool retreat from the heat. In autumn the sacred tree and surrounding trees take on color, and in winter you can pray quietly in the clear air. All year round it is a place to feel the life force of water and greenery.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 16-10 Nakamachi, Chichibu City, Saitama
• About an 8 minute walk from Ohanabatake Station on the Chichibu Railway
• About a 15 minute walk from Chichibu Station on the Chichibu Railway
• Also within walking distance of Seibu Chichibu Station on the Seibu Chichibu Line
• Free parking for worshipers is available at two lots, one in front of the torii and a first lot

Practical Travel Notes

• Best time of day: the water of the pond and waterfall looks most beautiful in the morning when the light is soft. If you would like an amulet or goshuin, visiting during the shrine office hours is safest
• Goshuin: several kinds of dragon themed goshuin are offered, generally for a few hundred yen
• Time needed: the grounds are compact, and even an unhurried visit takes about thirty minutes
• Avoiding crowds: visitors increase over New Year and long holidays, so weekday mornings are ideal for a quiet visit
• Nearby spots: within walking distance are Chichibu Shrine, the Chichibu Matsuri Kaikan festival hall, and a shopping street with a retro atmosphere, making it easy to combine with a town stroll. You can even walk on to the day bathing facility in front of Seibu Chichibu Station
• Budget: worship is free, and even with a goshuin and amulet a visit fits within the low thousands of yen

A Quick Tip

Located in central Chichibu, it is easy to combine with a town walk. When washing coins, it is said to be good to keep the cleansed coin carefully in your wallet. Parking is limited, so on weekends it is worth considering public transport.

📚 Sources

This article draws on public guidance from the city of Chichibu and the local tourism association about Chichibu Imamiya Jinja and its Ryujin Pond and Seiryu Falls, the notices posted on the grounds, and published materials on the Mount Buko underground spring water selected for the Ministry of the Environment's Heisei list of one hundred famous waters. Descriptions of the enshrined deities, including Hachidai Ryuo, and of dragon-deity worship are also introduced in regional materials. Because fees and hours may change, please confirm the latest details through official sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: The grounds are compact, so about 30 minutes is enough to make a relaxed circuit
• Best time of day: The water of Ryujin Pond and Seiryu Falls looks most beautiful in the morning when the light is soft
• Access: About an 8-minute walk from Ohanabatake Station on the Chichibu Railway, and within walking distance of Seibu-Chichibu Station
• Parking: Free parking is available at two locations, before the torii and at the first lot, but spaces are limited, so consider public transport on holidays
• Avoiding crowds: Visitors increase at New Year and on holidays, so weekday mornings are best for a quiet visit
• Budget: The visit is free, and even with a goshuin seal and amulets the cost stays in the low thousands of yen