A Camera Walk Around Saitama Omiya's Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine. A Nostalgic Autumn Scene.

Although we are less than two weeks away from the New Year, I would like to share some "autumn scenery" that now feels nostalgic.

The time was mid-November 2025. The place was Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine and its surrounding area in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture.

The content of this post is just a simple story about how I suddenly felt like visiting Hikawa Shrine and went there with my camera in hand.

My photography skills are as clumsy as ever, but if you can feel as though you are touring Hikawa Shrine with me, there would be nothing that makes me happier. Also, at the end of this article, I have included some sparkling illumination photos that are perfect for the current season.

It is a busy time of year, but I would be more than happy if you could scroll through this while holding a coffee or a drink, remembering "those days" when the autumn leaves were still beautiful.

Walking along the autumn-colored approach from the Second Torii to the Third Torii.

Less than a 15-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station, I arrived at the Second Torii of Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine.

When was the last time I visited? I remember the approach being a green tunnel back then. On this day, however, it was completely dressed in autumn colors.

Within the shrine grounds, I am soothed by the sacred pond and the floral water basin.

While being soothed by such autumn leaves, I pass through the Third Torii.

Usually, I head straight to the main shrine, but for some reason, on this day, my feet led me toward the Munakata Shrine.

Then, I saw a truly beautiful hanachozu (floral water basin) ahead. Reflexively, I pressed the camera shutter.

It is said that Munakata Shrine enshrines the god of water. Perhaps that is why, but it was a beautiful water basin that seemed to purify not just the body and mind, but even the soul.

I decided to visit Munakata Shrine after paying my respects at the main shrine, so I first took a walk from the Shin-ike pond to the Hebi-no-ike pond.

And so, I stood for a little while at the Hebi-no-ike pond. (There is no deep meaning, but I refrained from taking photos at the Hebi-no-ike pond.)

After that, I headed toward the Romon gate to visit the main shrine, but on the way, I encountered a truly gorgeous hanachozu.

Hanachozu always makes people feel happy, no matter where they are.

Then, at the water basin in front of the Romon gate, I purified my hands and mouth.

The chozuya (water purification pavilion) at Omiya Hikawa Shrine is also popular as a photogenic spot.

Indeed, every time I visit, I am delighted by the lovely floral water displays.

With that in mind, I clear my mind as much as possible and pass through the vermilion romon gate.

And then, I offer my prayers.
I offer them with gratitude for the protection I always receive, and for the fact that I was able to visit like this.
(Also, there is no particular deep meaning here, but I refrained from photographing the main hall.)

After finishing my prayers at the main hall, my usual route is to visit the Monkyakujin Shrine and the Ontake Shrine.

Then, I walk along the stone pavement and step out of the shrine grounds for a moment.

Yes, my destination is a small Japanese garden quietly nestled at the edge of Omiya Park.

Admiring the autumn scenery of the Japanese garden in a corner of Omiya Park.

Once outside the shrine grounds, a magnificent ginkgo tree has turned a brilliant yellow. It is quite a spectacular sight.

And then, I stroll through the Japanese garden.

Muttering such silly things to myself, I left the Japanese garden as autumn deepened.

The shrine grounds, once again, are divine in every way.

Returning to the shrine grounds.

The grounds of Omiya Hikawa Shrine are divine everywhere you look.

I visited the six shrines, Amatsu Shrine, and Matsuo Shrine, and finally, I paid my respects at Munakata Shrine, where I had photographed the purification fountain.

For a brief moment, I gaze at the sacred pond from this shrine.

There is no need to rush.
It is okay to spin your wheels.
It is okay to take it slow.
At your own pace, with your own breath, it is enough to move forward, even if just by a step or half a step.

I wonder if it was just my imagination or mere wishful thinking that made me feel as though I were being gently encouraged in such a way.

And so, I was able to finish my visit with a peaceful heart.

A leisurely stroll along the Hikawa Sando approach from the Third Torii to the First Torii.

From here, I wander along the Hikawa Sando, which is said to be about 2 km long.

And my usual routine is to take the train home from JR Saitama-Shintoshin Station.

Arrived at the First Torii of Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine.

This concludes the camera stroll around the Hikawa Shrine area.

And, despite announcing the end like that, this article actually has more to come.

Bonus: The illuminations at Cocoon in Saitama-Shintoshin are incredible.

At the very end, as a little bonus, I would like to share the illuminations at Cocoon, a large shopping mall in Saitama Shintoshin.

At that time, the illuminations at Cocoon City were in full swing. (It seems they will continue until around February of next year.)

Although it is a sight you can see at any facility, the ones at Cocoon seemed to have had quite a lot of effort put into them, so I couldn't help but snap some photos—that's how it went.

If you leave the first torii gate of the Hikawa Sando and continue straight, you will soon see a display like this.

I only learned this after entering Cocoon, but it seems it was currently the illumination period. Since it wouldn't take long for them to light up, I decided to do some shopping inside until it got dark so I could take a look before heading home.

The lights finally turned on. From here on, it's a non-stop illumination festival.

And then, they finally lit up. From here on, it's a non-stop illumination festival.

After coming from the nature-filled Hikawa Shrine area, I suddenly encountered a scene full of artificial sparkle, and it took me a moment to shift my mindset (lol).

Although I am always rambling about fields, rice paddies, and being natural, I am, after all, a child of the bubble era (?).
It seems my heart still flutters at such glittering sights.

Well, if it lifts my spirits, I suppose that's fine too.

This article is simply a collection of photos taken by a complete amateur, and it turned out to be quite different from my usual posts where I ramble on with long, pointless text.

However, the process of selecting photos while reflecting on the scenery I saw and my own emotions, and then adding words to those photos, was quite an interesting and fulfilling time, even if it was just for my own satisfaction.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to those who have stayed with me this far, despite the extraordinary number of images.