Yanagimori-jinja

Yanagimori-jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Chiyoda-ku located just south of Akihabara Station and accessible via a narrow pedestrian path. The grounds feature a simple layout with several small buildings, stone lanterns, ancient willow trees, and a quiet courtyard containing statues dedicated to Japanese folklore.

The shrine was founded in 1457 by warlord Ota Dokan to counteract negative energy from the northeast direction toward Edo Castle. Originally connected to the Inari cult from Kyoto, which honored the fox and prosperity, tanuki legends were later incorporated into its spiritual practice.

The shrine is closely tied to the tanuki, a shape-shifting creature from Japanese folklore believed to bring luck and prosperity. Visitors can see statues of this figure, and many come here to pray for good fortune in their work and life.

The shrine is about a five-minute walk from Akihabara Station and easy to find with clear signage. The grounds are freely accessible and provide an ideal spot for a short, peaceful visit as a break from the bustling city.

The tanuki statues here are called O-Tanuki-sama and depict the creatures with large bellies and exaggerated genitals, which in Japanese folklore represent luck and magical power. This humorous yet profound symbol makes the shrine a special place where ancient traditions blend with playfulness.