Hikawa shrine, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hikawa Shrine is a small Shinto shrine in Meguro-ku featuring traditional wooden structures and a bright red torii gate at the entrance. The complex contains three separate shrine buildings, each with its own distinctive style, surrounded by well-maintained trees, stone lanterns, and small stone statues.
The shrine was founded in the early Edo period by the Chiba clan to invoke the god Susanoo for protection against floods and disease. Over centuries, it was relocated multiple times to higher ground, particularly after major floods in the early 1900s.
The name Hikawa means ice-cold river in Japanese. The shrine remains an active place where local residents visit regularly for prayers and seasonal festivals, particularly for Shichi-Go-San celebrations where children dress in traditional kimonos.
The shrine is about a 10-minute walk from Meguro or Fudomae stations and requires climbing stone steps to reach higher ground. Gentler alternative routes exist nearby, and visiting early in the morning provides the most peaceful experience with fewer crowds.
The shrine is dedicated to Susanoo, a god famous in Japanese lore for defeating an eight-headed serpent, and shrines honoring him are often located in flood-prone areas. Visitors can collect seasonal goshuin stamps decorated with motifs like cherry blossoms or festival symbols.
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