Chichibu Shrine

History and Divine Virtue

The tutelary shrine of the whole Chichibu region. Tradition holds that in the reign of Emperor Sujin, Chichibuhiko no Mikoto, first governor of the old province of Chichibu, enshrined his ancestral deity Yagokoro-Omoikane no Mikoto here — giving the shrine a history of more than two thousand years. Its deities are Omoikane, who presides over thought and wisdom, together with Chichibuhiko no Mikoto, Ame-no-Minakanushi no Kami, and Prince Chichibu. The present sanctuary, in the gongen style, was donated by Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1592 and is covered in richly colored carvings attributed to the master carver Hidari Jingoro: the "Chained Dragon," the "Tiger of Children and Child-Rearing," the "Owl of the North Star," revered for success in study, and the "Three Cheerful Monkeys." As a shrine of the deity of wisdom, it draws prayers for academic success and examinations, and many who seek strategic insight in their work. Its grand festival, the Chichibu Night Festival held around December 3, is one of Japan's three great float festivals and is inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Visiting Notes

• Custom is to walk the full circuit of the sanctuary to view the carvings on all four sides — do not miss the Owl of the North Star on the north face.
• The shrine is the central point of the Chichibu Sanja pilgrimage (Mitsumine, Chichibu, Hodosan) and, standing in the town center, is easy to visit.
• The Chichibu Night Festival on December 2 and 3 is famed for its ornate floats and winter fireworks.

Deities and Location

Enshrined Deities

Yagokoro-Omoikane no Mikoto, Chichibuhiko no Mikoto, Ame-no-Minakanushi no Kami, Prince Chichibu (Yasuhito)

Location

埼玉県秩父市番場町 (Saitama)

Access

About 3 minutes on foot from Chichibu Station (Chichibu Railway), or about 15 minutes from Seibu-Chichibu Station (Seibu Chichibu Line)

Lineage

Career & Victory

Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.