Washinomiya Shrine

Washinomiya Shrine is said to have the oldest history in Kanto. The shrine is also mentioned in the Azuma Kagami, a historical book from the Kamakura period (1185-1333).

The shrine was especially popular among warlords, and the Kamakura Shogunate rebuilt the main shrine under the protection of the Hojo and Ashikaga clans. The Kamakura shogunate rebuilt the main shrine, and the Tokugawa shogunate donated 400 goku to the temple, so the temple has been protected by powerful supporters in each era. The temple has many cultural assets in its collection, including ancient documents, mirrors, and swords, so it is worth a visit for history buffs.

In addition to the above, the Haji Ichiryu Saibara Kagura, which is dedicated every year on New Year's Day, February 14, April 10, July 31, October 10, and Hatsu-Akane in December, is designated as a nationally important intangible folk cultural property. The solemn dances accompanied by musical accompaniment create a simple yet elegant atmosphere.

The popular shrine, which ranks second in the prefecture in terms of the number of visitors at the beginning of the year, also enshrines Onamuchi-no-mikoto, a god famous for bringing people together. In recent years, the shrine has also become famous as a site for anime, and is known as one of the pioneering shrines for pilgrimages to sacred sites in anime.