Tenjinja, Shinto shrine in Nishi-tokyo, Japan
Tenjinja is a small Shinto shrine in Nishitokyo dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar and poet from earlier times. The grounds are not very large and are surrounded by trees, with a traditional wooden torii gate at the entrance, a small prayer hall inside, and stone guardian dogs that watch over visitors.
The shrine was originally founded between 1573 and 1591 as a shrine of the Thirty Gods and was initially connected to Nichiren Buddhism traditions. In 1868, following a government order separating Buddhist and Shinto beliefs, it was renamed Tenjinja and received its current focus on Sugawara no Michizane.
The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a revered scholar and poet from the past. Visitors notice how local people come here to pray, especially students seeking help with their studies, showing how the place remains rooted in the community's daily life.
The shrine is about 15 minutes on foot from the nearest station, making it a good destination for a short walk. The grounds are relatively small and manageable, meaning that even on busy festival days exploration remains pleasant, and visiting on weekdays or early mornings offers a quieter experience.
A pair of stone guardian dogs, called komainu, guards the entrance, and one of them is over 250 years old with carvings that show its long history. These remarkable stone sentries are often overlooked by visitors, yet they tell of the place's deep connection to the past.
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