Hijiri Jinja

Tucked into the mountains of Kurotani in Chichibu, Hijiri Jinja is a money luck power spot affectionately known to locals as Zenigami-sama, the god of wealth. In the year 708, natural copper was discovered here and presented to the imperial court, and the era name was changed to Wado, meaning Japanese copper. In that same year the Wado Kaichin was issued, held to be one of the first coins to circulate in Japan. Because of this history, the shrine is believed to grant blessings for matters of money and work, drawing visitors from across the country who pray for lottery wins and prosperous business.

Often overshadowed by the famous Mitsumine and Chichibu shrines, it remains a quietly cherished hidden gem.

Highlights

• A monument shaped like the Wado Kaichin coin stands in the grounds as a symbol of rising fortune
• At the open pit mining site within walking distance, traces remain of where copper was actually dug, letting you feel the history firsthand
• The shrine office offers amulets and goshuin seals designed after the ancient coin, perfect mementos of a wealth prayer
• The quiet, mountain ringed grounds have a calm atmosphere ideal for unhurried prayer

Enjoying the Seasons

In spring the surrounding mountains turn fresh green and the air feels crisp during a visit. Summer brings cooling shade, while autumn paints the grounds in red and gold. Winter wraps everything in clear air and stillness, so you can pray quietly while feeling the turning of the seasons all year round.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 2191 Kurotani, Chichibu City, Saitama
• About a 5 minute walk from Wado Kurotani Station on the Chichibu Railway
• About 30 minutes by bus from Seibu Chichibu Station, getting off at the Wado Kurotani Station stop
• Parking space for worshipers is available, though limited and prone to crowding on weekends

Practical Travel Notes

• Recommended route: the classic course is to first visit Hijiri Jinja, then walk on about fifteen minutes to the open pit copper mining site. As the way includes a mountain path, comfortable shoes are reassuring
• Goshuin: the goshuin featuring the Wado Kaichin is offered as a pre written sheet, generally for a few hundred yen
• Time needed: the shrine visit alone takes twenty to thirty minutes, while a round trip to the mining site takes about an hour and a half
• Avoiding crowds: visitors increase before lottery draws and during long holidays. For a quiet visit, weekday mornings are best. As parking is limited, avoid inconsiderate parking at nearby convenience stores
• Nearby spots: close to central Chichibu, it can be toured together with Chichibu Shrine and Chichibu Imamiya Shrine
• Budget: worship is free, and even with a goshuin and amulet you can bring home a memento for the low thousands of yen

A Quick Tip

Taking a short walk to the old copper mining pit lets you savor the shrine history more deeply, so wear comfortable shoes. Many say that buying a new wallet after praying helps invite money luck.

📚 Sources

This article draws on public information provided by the city of Chichibu and the local tourism association about Hijiri Jinja, the Wado Kaichin coinage, and the Wado open-cut mining site, as well as the explanatory boards on the grounds and the station and route guidance of the Chichibu Railway. The history of the copper discovery and the era-name change is also introduced in regional local-history materials. Because fees and hours may change, please confirm the latest details through official sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About 20 to 30 minutes for the shrine visit alone, or roughly 90 minutes including a round trip to the open-cut mining site
• Clothing and items: The path to the mining site includes mountain trails, so wear comfortable walking shoes
• Access: About a 5-minute walk from Wado-Kuroya Station on the Chichibu Railway, or about 30 minutes by bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station
• Parking: Visitor parking spaces are limited and crowded on holidays, so avoid parking inconsiderately in the surrounding area
• Avoiding crowds: Visitors increase before lottery sales 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 is generally in the low thousands of yen