Hikawa shrine, building in Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Hikawa Shrine is a small Shinto sanctuary located in the busy Minato ward area, surrounded by modern office buildings, shops, and restaurants. The grounds feature traditional wooden torii gates at the entrance, aged stone guardian dog statues, trees from the Edo period, and hanging lanterns that illuminate at night.
According to legend, the shrine was founded in 951, though the building seen today was constructed in 1729 under orders from a powerful Edo-period shogun. The structure survived earthquakes and disasters of the 20th century intact, establishing it as an important cultural site that preserves the architecture of that era.
The shrine is a place where locals come for special occasions, particularly wedding ceremonies that have taken place here for generations. The fox and guardian dog statues scattered across the grounds are visible signs of Shinto traditions and show how visitors honor the deity Inari and protective spirits.
The shrine is within walking distance from several subway stations, including Akasaka and Roppongi, making it easy to reach from busier parts of the city. It opens early in the morning and closes around sunset, allowing visitors free entry to walk the grounds and offer prayers at the inner shrine.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the shrine is its collection of aged stone figures, some dating back to the 1600s, that line the pathway leading inward. These weathered koma-inu and kitsune statues tell a story through their age and placement of centuries of worship and spiritual guardianship.
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