Hikawa-jinja, Shinto shrine in Minato, Tokyo, Japan
Hikawa-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Minato-ku featuring simple wooden structures with curved roofs and stone pathways throughout its grounds. The complex includes a main hall, several smaller Inari shrines, and a collection of weathered stone statues dating to the 1600s.
The shrine was founded around 951 and gained prominence after a reported miracle in 1066 that ended a regional drought. The main hall was rebuilt in 1729 under Shogun Yoshimune's order and suffered damage during World War II but was carefully restored by 1958.
The shrine displays fox and dog statues from the late Edo period that symbolize Inari worship and protection. Visitors leave small offerings and ring a bell as a gesture of respect to the deities enshrined here.
The shrine is about four minutes on foot from Shirokane-Takanawa Station and accessible by nearby bus stops as well. The grounds are compact and easy to navigate, with paved pathways connecting the various shrine buildings and outdoor areas.
The shrine was one of the Ten Tokyo Shrines and part of the Seven Edo Hikawa Jinja group, highlighting its long-standing importance in the city's religious landscape. This historical connection demonstrates its standing as a significant spiritual center across multiple centuries.
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