Tsukiji Shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Tsukiji Shrine, also known as Nishikubo Hachiman Jinja, is a small Shinto shrine in Minato-ku, Tokyo, featuring simple wooden structures and stone lanterns marking the path to the main hall. The grounds house multiple kami, guardian statues, and small ground-level shrines showing layers of tradition and remembrance built over centuries.
The shrine was founded over a thousand years ago when Minamoto Yorinobu established it in the early 11th century, later relocating to its current site when Edo Castle construction began. It suffered multiple destructions from fire and war, including bombing during the 1945 Tokyo raids, but rebuilding efforts through the 1950s demonstrate its endurance.
The shrine grounds display layers of tradition through small ground-level shrines and guardian statues that have survived for generations. Visitors can observe prayer plaques and wish cards today, showing how people have used this space for their hopes and remembrance over centuries.
The shrine is just a five-minute walk from Kamiyacho Station on the Hibiya Line, making it easy to reach whether heading to work or exploring the city's quieter corners. No special preparations are needed for a visit, and guests should simply enter respectfully and enjoy the peaceful setting.
The shrine's guardian statues, called koma-inu, have a distinctive appearance believed to date back to the Edo Period and ward off evil spirits. These stone pairs stand out from typical versions found elsewhere, offering visitors a visible window into the site's long heritage.
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