Hijiri Shrine

Hijiri Shrine, today known as the God of Money and Wealth as well as a spiritual spot for financial luck, holds historical significance as the home to Japan’s first circulated currency, the Wado Kaichin coins. In 708 AD, the discovery of native Japanese copper (Wado) in the Chichibu region was presented to the Imperial court. The Shrine was founded in the first year of the Wado era to commemorate the change of the era name to “Wado”. Sacred treasures such as Wado copper ore and a bronze centipede bestowed by Empress Genmei are held at the shrine, while the beautiful shrine hall, constructed in the mid-Edo period, is designated as a Chichibu City Tangible Cultural Property. Known for its benefits in financial luck and good fortune, the shrine attracts many visitors as a precious sacred site where one can experience the origins as well as the history of Japanese currency.