Photographed on July 26, 2026. This is the illuminated wind chimes for matchmaking at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Photo taken on July 26, 2026. This is the illuminated wind chime display for matchmaking at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on July 26, 2026. This is the illumination of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine's matchmaking wind chimes. I found a red thread wind chime.

Summer settled over the village like a green silence. The mountains slept beneath the endless blue sky, while cicadas sang from the trees as if they had been singing there forever. Bright flowers bloomed along an empty roadside, leading somewhere unknown. A lazy afternoon, a gentle breeze, and the delicate sound of wind chimes drifting through Okutama made this summer feel a little more magical.

Taken on July 26, 2026. This is the illuminated wind chime display at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I looked up at the wind chime corridor from below.

Taken on July 26, 2026. This is the light-up of the wind chimes for matchmaking at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The wind chime corridor next to the main hall.

Photographed on July 26, 2026. This is the light-up of the Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine, featuring the matchmaking wind chimes.

Photographed on July 26, 2014. This is the illuminated wind chimes for matchmaking at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. The rain has just cleared.

Photographed on July 26, 2026. This is the illumination of the wind chimes for the matchmaking at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on August 10, 26. I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. It seemed that a ritual was taking place, as I heard the sound of drums.

Minase Shrine Address: 3-10-24 Hirose, Shimamotocho, Mishima District, Osaka Prefecture Nearest Station: Minase Station [East Exit], 12 minutes on foot Parking: Available, free Set in a beautiful landscape, the shrine features a guest hall built in the Shoin-zukuri style of the Momoyama period, a main hall established in the early Edo period, and the tea room known as Tōshintei. National treasures and important cultural properties related to Retired Emperor Go-Toba are also preserved here. Located north of the sacred gate, the roof is designed in the irimoya style, with sangawara roofing, wooden latticework on the gable, and umebachi kakegyo decorations. Built during the Taisho era, the front of the stone basin is inscribed with "dedicatory wash basin" (Hono Kansou), and the side is engraved with "Kosha". This water was selected as one of the "Top 100 Famous Waters in Japan" by the Ministry of the Environment in 1985, being the only one in Osaka Prefecture. At the water collection area within Minase Shrine, many people visit daily from early morning to collect water, and there are constant reports of improvements in conditions such as atopic dermatitis. The shrine is cherished by many, and preservation activities are actively conducted.

Nomi Shrine Address: 6-6 Nomicho, Takatsuki City, Osaka Prefecture Nearest station: Takatsuki Station [Exit 7], 7 minutes on foot Founded in the 9th century, it was originally located within Takatsuki Castle. It was also known as the shrine of Gozu Tenno, and it was highly revered by successive lords of the castle. The deities enshrined are Nomino Sukune and Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and it is believed to have moved from the former Shikinai Shrine, Nomi Shrine, which was located near Jōgū Tenmangū. The Nagai Shrine, dedicated to Naokiyo, the first lord of the Takatsuki Domain, stands in the lush green grounds. Its main hall and karamon gate are designated cultural properties of the city, and votive plaques that evoke the appearance of the former Takatsuki Castle are offered.

Taken on August 10, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes of Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a red thread wind chime.

Taken on August 10, 2026. This is the Musubumoi Furin from Nishō Gō City, Little Edo, for the 8th year of the Reiwa era.

After the Guerrilla Thunderstorm This summer has seen many guerrilla thunderstorms. This happened when I visited Mamada Hachimangu Shrine for the wind chime festival, and after a guerrilla thunderstorm passed, I noticed a brief moment of sunshine with droplets on the tanzaku (wishing strips), prompting me to take a photo. After the intense guerrilla thunderstorm enveloped the shrine, light briefly shone through the clouds. It was a moment when the wind chimes, adorned with raindrops, quietly conveyed the changes in the summer sky.

"Summer Wishes" Captured at the Wind Chime Festival at Hotokuji Temple in Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. I encountered a gentle-faced Jizo statue at the festival. Surrounded by colorful wind chimes, a small strip of paper swayed nearby with the wish, "May the whole family be healthy and happy." The refreshing sound of the wind chimes carries the wishes for the family. I captured a tranquil moment that embodies the essence of a Japanese summer.

Photographed on August 6, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

It seems that the Tanabata Festival will be held at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine tonight at 7 PM. 🎋

Title: A Wish Come True This photo was taken at the Wind Chime Festival held at Sagi Shrine in Hiroshima Prefecture. I was struck by the sight of one wind chime missing its strip of paper, and with its cool sound, I thought perhaps the wish of this wind chime had come true.

Today, I visited Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on July 26, 2026. This is Enmusubi Red and White Soft Drink and Enmusubi Wind Chime Cider.

This is the Enmusubi Wind Chime Cider. Yesterday, I fully enjoyed the Kawagoe Hyakuman-tō Natsu Matsuri.

Photographed on July 9, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. I found a red thread wind chime. The location changes daily.

Photographed on July 9, 2026. These are the matchmaking wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

I was healed by the many wind chimes in the greenery at a park I visited during my trip to Nagano.

I went to work from Hon-Kawagoe Station for the first time in a while. This is the Enmusubi Fuurin at the Honkawagoe Station Ticket Gate.🎐

Taken on July 9, 2026. These are the relationship-binding wind chimes at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine.

Taken on July 9, 26. This is the matchmaking wind chime at Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. This year, I am challenging myself to see how many times I can capture this composition.

🌸🌼Tarumae Shrine's Flower Water Offering🌺🌻 Although the number of humid days is increasing, the water basin remains refreshing✨

Photographed on July 15, 2014. These are the matchmaking wind chimes from Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine. Yesterday was the annual festival at Yasaka Shrine. We prayed for good health, had our heads bitten by the lion's head, and were fanned by Tengu-sama with a fan. We received cucumbers and amulets.