Regional discoveries | Value Village

GunmaShrines & Temples

Numata

Haruna Jinja (Numata)

A shrine guarding a castle town on a river terrace.

GunmaShrines & Temples

Shibukawa

Mizusawa Kannon

It has a hexagonal hall with a turning wheel that represents the six realms of rebirth. Mizusawa udon is sold at the gate.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Omiya, Saitama

Its approach runs about two kilometres, among the longest in Japan. The place name Omiya comes from people calling this the great shrine. It began as a water deity in the wetland once known as Minuma.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Chichibu

Mitsumine Jinja

It stands on a mountain at 1,100 metres, and in place of guardian lions, wolves sit at the gate.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Kawagoe

Kitain

The room where Tokugawa Iemitsu was born and the dressing room of Lady Kasuga, both moved here from Edo Castle, still stand. It is held to be the only place where buildings from Edo Castle survive.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Chichibu

Shimabuji

The starting point of the Chichibu circuit. With Saigoku and Bando it makes up the Hundred Kannon of Japan.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Nagatoro

Hodosan Jinja

Its name is said to come from a legend in which a fire was stopped: the mountain where fire halted. A ropeway runs up to the inner shrine.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Kawagoe

Gohyaku Rakan

Five hundred and thirty-eight rakan figures stand in rows, and no two faces are said to be alike.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Saitama

Jionji

A thirteen-storey pagoda here enshrines relics of the monk Xuanzang.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Hanyu

Kenpukuji, Hanyu

The temple that is the setting of the novel Inaka Kyoshi.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Tokorozawa

Yamaguchi Kannon

It carries a tradition that Nitta Yoshisada prayed here for victory.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Saitama

Hikawa Jinja

The head shrine of some 280 Hikawa shrines nationwide. Its approach runs about two kilometres, among the longest in Japan.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Saitama

Romon (Hikawa)

A vermilion gate, next to Omiya Park.

SaitamaShrines & Temples

Hanno

Noninji

Its pond garden is among the hundred famous gardens of Japan, at the foot of the climb up Tenranzan.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Katori

Katori Jingu

A martial deity, paired with Kashima Jingu. The kaname-ishi in its grounds is said to connect underground with the one at Kashima, the two pinning down the head and the tail of a giant catfish. Two shrines across the Tone river share one story: this was a region joined by water, not divided by a border.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Narita

Naritasan Shinshoji

Among the most visited temples in Japan at new year. Eel restaurants line the approach because eels were caught at Lake Inba.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Kyonan

Nihonji

The Great Buddha carved into the rock face of Mount Nokogiri is among the largest stone Buddhas in Japan. The temple is also known for its Hell Lookout platform.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Katori

Katori Kaname-ishi

It is said to connect underground with the kaname-ishi at Kashima, pinning down the tail of the giant catfish.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Narita

Heiwa Daito

Fifty-eight metres tall, standing at the far end of the broad grounds.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Chiba

Chiba Jinja

The centre of Myoken belief. Unusually, the hall is built in two storeys, one above the other.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Chiba

Senyoji

Held to be among the oldest temples in Chiba.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Chonan

Kasamoridera

A hall built on a rock, held up by 61 pillars on all four sides. The form is said to be the only one of its kind in Japan.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Kyonan

Jigoku Nozoki

A platform jutting out over a sheer rock face.

ChibaShrines & Temples

Kimitsu

Jinyaji

Said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku, and among the oldest temples in eastern Japan.