Naka Hikawa Jinja

Naka Hikawa Jinja in Yamaguchi, Tokorozawa, Saitama is said to have been founded in the reign of Emperor Sujin. It served as the guardian shrine for 92 villages across the former Iruma and Tama districts, and held the rank of prefectural shrine. The shrine enshrines three deities—Susanoo-no-mikoto, Kushiinadahime-no-mikoto, and Onamuji-no-mikoto—the same triad venerated at Omiya Hikawa Jinja. Its name 'Naka' (middle) refers to its geographic position between Omiya Hikawa Jinja and Oku Hikawa Jinja. In the late Heian period, Yamaguchi Ietsugi rebuilt the main hall; it was later restored by Yamaguchi Takatada during the Tensho era (1573–1593). Locals have long called it 'Hikawa-sama.'