Interestingly, the Shingashi River flows through both Saitama and Tokyo. This 34.6-kilometer river begins its journey in the Musashino Plateau. The Shingashi River eventually joins the Sumida River at Iwabuchi in Kita, Tokyo.
Now you are standing near the Shingashi River. It is more than just a waterway. The Shingashi River has a rich history and offers picturesque views.
Did you know that in Kawagoe, “go over the river?” is the literal translation of “Kawagoe”. In earlier times, people needed to cross the river by ship to reach the town.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna initiated engineering works on the Shingashi River at the start of the Edo period. He ruled the Kawagoe domain from 1603 to 1868. The Shingashi River became a vital waterway. Boats quickly connected Edo which was the new capital under the Tokugawa shogunate.
The first goal was to rebuild the city. This included the Senba Toshogu mausoleum. It sits next to Kita-in temple. This was after the Great Fire of Kanei in 1638.
Later, the Shingashi River helped grow local trade. It transported goods by river. Kawagoe shipped agricultural goods. Soy sauce, cotton seeds, sage, and wood were transported. Clothing, combustible fat and oils, tiles, sugar, salt, vegetables, and dried fish were imported from Edo.
This river transport route lasted nearly 300 years. It ended in 1931. Changes increased the water flow. But, they reduced the river bed’s depth. This made it hard for large ships to navigate. The rise of railways ended the river’s commercial use. It became a quiet place for walks.
The Shingashi River is a famous spot for cherry blossoms in Kawagoe. Many somei yoshino cherry trees line the river. They are near the Kawagoe Hikawa-jinja shrine at Hikawa-bashi bridge. The Shingashi Riverbank Cherry Blossoms stretch for about 500 meters. The pale pink flowers and the new green grass create a beautiful scene. The flowering peaks usually occur in late March.
Locals love this cherry blossom spot. Foreign tourists are less familiar with it. This makes it easy to enjoy, even on weekends. Some lucky locals might get a seat on the small boats. They sail on the river during spring.
The then-owner of Kameya Eisen planted the cherry trees in 1957. Kameya Eisen is a shop established in 1783 that still exists today. He planted 300 seeds to remember the war dead. This included his two sons who never returned from World War II. He intentionally planted the sakura near the shrine. Kawagoe Hikawa shrine is the guardian shrine of Kawagoe. He named the cherry blossoms “Homarezakura” or “honorable cherry blossoms”.
In 2022, Kawagoe planted new cherry blossom trees along the Shingashi River. This was for the 100-year anniversary of becoming a city.
The Shingashi River provides a tranquil escape. Strolling along the Shingashi River offers a peaceful experience. It is a serene contrast to the bustling city. It is also a pleasant route from Hikawa-jinja shrine to the former Kawagoe Castle site.