Ikebukuro-mitake-jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Ikebukuro-mitake-jinja is a small Shinto shrine near the west exit of Ikebukuro Station in central Tokyo. The shrine features a traditional main hall with wooden pillars and thatched roof, surrounded by well-maintained gravel paths, stone lanterns, and carved wooden owl statues.
The shrine was originally founded in the late 1500s to protect the village of Ikebukuro, with its main hall built in the late 1600s. After damage in the mid-1800s and again following World War II, the structure underwent major renovations in the 1950s and 1960s.
The shrine serves as a gathering place for the neighborhood during New Year celebrations and special festivals. Visitors can observe traditional practices like hand purification and the leaving of offerings, which show how spiritual respect is woven into daily life.
The shrine is open year-round and accessible without fees, making it easy to visit on foot from Ikebukuro Station. Before praying, visitors can use the hand-washing area to the right of the entrance, which is part of the traditional ritual experience.
The wooden owl statues were added in 2002 and trace back to an old story about a girl who prayed each night for her mother's health. The owls have since become symbols of good luck and hope in the Ikebukuro area, representing a tradition of gratitude toward the deities.
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