Washinomiya — A Town Where Water Flows and People Heal
Washinomiya is a place where natural rivers and Edo-period waterways meet.
The Aogebori River, the Kasai Irrigation Canal, and the former Arakawa River intersect here,
creating a landscape that has supported people’s daily lives and spiritual practices since ancient times.
Places where water gathers have long been believed to attract people
and offer a natural sense of healing.
It is no coincidence that one of the oldest shrines in the Kanto region stands on this very land.
As Cucuri Café is located in the heart of this environment,
we would like to share a glimpse of the unique charm that surrounds Washinomiya.
🌸Walking Spots That Capture the Spirit of Water and Its Flow
The scenery that represents autumn in Washinomiya is the Cosmos Road that runs along the Kasai Irrigation Canal.
In spring, the path is lined with blooming poppies, and in autumn, a stunning floral corridor appears as countless cosmos flowers sway in the breeze.
You can also enjoy a gentle riverside walk along the Aogebori River, which leads directly to Washinomiya Shrine.
In spring, cherry blossoms reflect beautifully on the water, creating a peaceful and picturesque path all the way to the shrine.
⛩Washinomiya Shrine — An Ancient Place of Purification and New Beginnings
Blessings: Protection from misfortune / Good luck / Success and determination / Opening new paths / Mental and physical purification
Washinomiya Shrine is known as one of the oldest and most historically significant shrines in the Kanto region.
It enshrines deities such as Takemikazuchi-no-Mikoto and Futsunushi-no-Mikoto—gods associated with clearing away negativity and opening the way forward.
It is a powerful place for those who:
- Want to begin a new chapter in life
- Are facing an important decision
- Wish to find clarity in work, studies, or direction
- Seek to clear away confusion or emotional heaviness
For such visitors, Washinomiya Shrine offers a strong sense of support and renewal.
🌿Suwa Shrine (Branch Shrine) — A Guardian of Wind, Water, and Everyday Well-Being
Blessings: Health / Safe childbirth / Family safety / Protection from water and wind disasters / Emotional stability
Right next to our café stands Suwa Shrine,
where Takeminakata-no-Mikoto is enshrined—
a deity traditionally known as a god of wind and water,
protecting the daily lives of people for centuries.
The shrine was built along the Aogebori River to guard the boundary of the waterway
and to calm disturbances in the land.
It is a comforting place for those who:
- Wish to bring harmony and good fortune to their household
- Want to calm the mind and find emotional balance
- Hope for good health in daily life
- Seek protection and stability in their home
This gentle, protective deity watches over the community,
making it a meaningful place to offer prayers—especially for good health.
♨Hyakukannon Onsen — One of Japan’s Finest Hot Springs for Deep, Lasting Warmth
If you visit Washinomiya, this is a hot spring you should not miss.
The water is a high-salinity hot spring drawn from about 1,300 meters underground,
and its warming effect is considered among the best in Japan.
- The heat stays in your body long after you leave the bath—even in winter
- Well-known for easing stiff shoulders, cold sensitivity, and fatigue
- Loved by locals who say, “I could soak in this every day”
Stopping by this hot spring at the end of your trip will leave you feeling truly restored and recovered.
🚶♀️ A One-Hour Journey Through Water, Flowers, and Ancient Spirits in Washinomiya
The charm of Washinomiya shines even brighter when explored on foot.
Within about 60–90 minutes of walking, you can comfortably circle through all these spots and enjoy the full flow of the area’s nature, history, and sacred atmosphere.
For healing through food, we warmly invite you to stop by Cucuri Café.
A Home Built in the Early 1980s × The Original Scenery Behind Lucky☆Star
The Building of Cucuri Café —
A 1980s Japanese Farmhouse Filled With Nostalgic Charm**
Cucuri Café is housed in a Japanese farmhouse built in the early 1980s.
Today, it carries a warm sense of nostalgia—an atmosphere that blends the late Showa era with the early Heisei period.
The scent of wood, the shape of the windows, the texture of the walls, the way the wind passes through the rooms—
and even the unexpected shachihoko ornament sitting on the roof.
All of these small details quietly preserve the feeling of that time.
When we renovated the house through DIY projects, we aimed not to replace everything with modern styles,
but to carefully keep the charm of the era it was born in.
Interestingly, houses from this period are also closely connected to the popular series Lucky☆Star,
whose setting is based on the town of Washinomiya.
The characters, whose story began publication in 2004, would have grown up in homes just like this—
the 1980s houses where they lived with their parents or grandparents.
A little retro, comforting, and filled with the everyday sounds of family life.
This atmosphere is not only found in the anime world,
but also flows throughout the real Washinomiya community.
Today, homes like this are rarely built anymore.
It is not common to casually step inside such a house—
but because this one is a café, you can visit freely and experience the gentle scenery of that era.
Why not stop by and feel the warmth of 1980s Japan for yourself?