5 Photogenic Power Spots of Saitama

In Saitama Prefecture, which you can reach quickly by train from Tokyo, "photogenic power spots" known to those in the know are scattered. Mystical light, fantastical torii gates, moss-covered cobblestones. Let's set off right away in search of spectacular views to color your Instagram feed!

1. Mitsumine Shrine (Chichibu City) | A Fantastical Space Woven by Mist and Torii Gates

At Mitsumine Shrine, enshrined at an elevation of 1,102m, when mist hangs in the early morning, a mystical landscape like another world spreads out. The contrast between the vermilion-lacquered Zuishinmon gate and the deep primeval forest is stunning, as if you have wandered into the world of Ghibli.

• Best shooting time: Right after sunrise (the 5 to 6 a.m. hours), the rainy season to autumn when mist tends to occur
• Shooting angle: Aiming at the Zuishinmon gate from the front at a low angle doubles the depth and impact
• Access: About 75 minutes by bus from Seibu-Chichibu Station

2. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine (Kawagoe City) | Matchmaking Wind Chimes and Colorful Ema

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, renowned as the "god of matchmaking," is a stunning photogenic spot with the "Enmusubi Wind Chimes" held in summer. Over 2,000 wind chimes are lined up in a row in the precincts, glittering in the translucent light.

• Best shooting time: The time when the soft late-morning light streams in, summer only
• Shooting angle: Capturing the tunnel of wind chimes with a long shot makes for a fantastical shot
• Access: About a 15-minute walk from "Honkawagoe Station" on the Seibu Shinjuku Line

3. Chichibu Shrine (Chichibu City) | Gorgeously Splendid Shrine Buildings with Carvings and Vermilion Lacquer

Chichibu Shrine, also called the "Nikko of Chichibu," has shrine buildings adorned with richly colored carvings that radiate an overwhelming presence. Especially the carvings of the "Tsunagi-no-Ryu (Tethered Dragon)" and "Kosodate-no-Tora (Child-Rearing Tiger)" complete one-of-a-kind photos just by shooting them close up.

• Best shooting time: The afternoon time when it becomes front-lit, autumn in the foliage season
• Shooting angle: Closing up on the shrine buildings' carvings somewhat macro makes the beauty of the details stand out
• Access: About a 3-minute walk from "Chichibu Station" on the Chichibu Railway

4. Hodosan Shrine (Nagatoro Town) | A Winter Spectacular View of Wintersweet and Shrine

This shrine, enshrined at the summit of Mt. Hodo in Nagatoro, is known for the spectacular view in January and February when the whole mountain is enveloped in the yellow flowers of wintersweet (robai). If you capture the shrine through the translucent golden flowers, you can take a winter-only miracle shot!

• Best shooting time: The morning of a sunny day, late January to February is the best viewing
• Shooting angle: Putting the wintersweet flowers as foreground blur and capturing the shrine's main hall in the background is recommended
• Access: About 5 minutes by ropeway from "Nagatoro Station" on the Chichibu Railway

5. Hijiri Shrine (Chichibu City) | An Appearance Full of the Wado Ruins and Ancient Romance

Hijiri Shrine, associated with "Wado Kaichin," Japan's oldest copper coin, produces a distinctive worldview with its moss-covered cobblestones and a giant Wado Kaichin monument. The lush, green approach along the mountain stream creates especially beautiful light and shadow in the fresh-greenery season.

• Best shooting time: The time when sunlight filters through the leaves in the late morning, May with its fresh greenery
• Shooting angle: Capturing the approach's cobblestones in an S-curve line makes for a composition with depth
• Access: About a 10-minute walk from "Wado-Kuroya Station" on the Chichibu Railway

A delightful point of Saitama's power spots is that you can access them casually from the city center. While charging up on the gods' energy, be sure to set out to take a special shot

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Opening and worship hours, closed days: The precincts of each shrine are basically open for worship at any time, but the opening hours of the amulet counters and goshuin stamp desks are limited. The operating hours of the Hodosan Ropeway change with the season, so if you are heading for the Okumiya (inner shrine) at the summit and the wintersweet garden, check the timetable in advance.
• Fees: Worship at Mitsumine Shrine, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, Chichibu Shrine, Hodosan Shrine and Hijiri Shrine is free. The Hodosan Ropeway charges a fare.
• Access: The main shrine of Hodosan Shrine is at 1828 Nagatoro, Nagatoro Town, Chichibu District, Saitama Prefecture (within walking distance of Nagatoro Station), and the Okumiya stands at the summit of Mount Hodo. Hijiri Shrine is at 2191 Kuroya, Chichibu City, about 7 minutes on foot from Wado-Kuroya Station, and the Wado Site is at 1918 Kuroya, Chichibu City, about 18 minutes on foot from the same station. Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is right by the "Kawagoe Hikawa Jinja" bus stop, or about a 5-minute walk from the "Kitamachi" stop.
• Parking: Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine has no free parking lot, and its official website directs visitors to the coin-operated parking in the neighborhood. The kurazukuri (storehouse-style) district of Kawagoe is extremely crowded on weekends and holidays.
• Etiquette when worshipping: Keep commemorative photographs in front of the shrine buildings brief so that you do not hold up the worshippers waiting behind you. During popular events such as the En-musubi Furin wind chime festival, follow the designated route and the instructions of the staff.
• Photography rules: When photographing the carvings and buildings of Chichibu Shrine, follow the notices displayed there. Refrain from using tripods and selfie sticks when it is crowded, as they obstruct the flow of people along the approach.
• Safety notes: Mitsumine Shrine stands on a mountain at an elevation of more than 1,000 m, and in winter the road surface freezes and chain restrictions may be imposed. Buses are also infrequent, so check the time of your return service first. The Wado Site involves walking a mountain path, so wear comfortable shoes.

* The giant Wado Kaichin coin monument is not in the precincts of Hijiri Shrine but at the Wado Site, a little over 10 minutes' walk away.

(Sources: Hodosan Shrine official website / Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine official website, "Access")