Chichibu Shrine Complete Travel Guide
Chichibu Shrine is a small but historically significant Shinto shrine in central Chichibu city, founded over 2,000 years ago and rebuilt under Tokugawa Ieyasu, known for its detailed Edo-period carvings and its role in the annual Chichibu Yomatsuri festival.
Quick Facts
Best Things to Do
- Walk around the current Tokugawa-era shrine building and look for the four named carvings: Child-Rearing Tigers, Three Rowdy Monkeys, the North Star Owl, and the Chained Dragon.
- Use the shrine as a central stop when visiting Chichibu during the Night Festival on December 2 (eve) and December 3 (main festival); expect the town centre to be especially busy.
- If you want a goshuin or a formal prayer, ask at the Juyosho (shrine office) during its published service hours.
- Combine the shrine with a walk through central Chichibu town and its older shopping streets nearby.
Tickets and Fees
Checked in August 2026: no admission ticket is required for a normal shrine visit. The shrine accepts formal prayer applications daily from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Juyosho (shrine office), with prayer fees from ¥5,000. Check the official site before visiting for festival-period arrangements.
How to Get There
From Chichibu Railway Chichibu Station, the shrine is a 3-minute walk; from Seibu-Chichibu Station, allow about 15 minutes on foot. Driving from Hanazono Interchange follows Route 140 toward Chichibu/Mitsumine; the official route notes about 50 minutes via the Minano-Yorii Bypass.
Nearby Attractions
Chichibu Shrine pairs naturally with Nagatoro Valley, a few stops away on the Chichibu Railway.
Book Before You Go
Use official information for opening hours and ticket rules, then book tours or tickets only when they fit your route.