Hirakawa-tenmangu, Shinto shrine in Japan
Hirakawa-tenmangu is a small Shinto shrine in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, founded in 1478 and dedicated to honoring scholarship and learning. The grounds feature a simple wooden main hall, stone guardian statues, a bronze torii gate from 1844, and several smaller shrines dedicated to different deities.
Founded in 1478 by samurai Ōta Dōkan within Edo Castle, the shrine was built following a vision of the scholar deity Sugawara Michizane. In 1607, Tokugawa shogun relocated it to its present location in Hirakawa-chō, where it became a worship site for the ruling Tokugawa family.
The shrine honors Sugawara no Michizane, a deity associated with scholarship and academic success. Visitors leave offerings and write wishes on paper, seeking blessings for exams and intellectual pursuits.
The shrine is easily accessible on foot from Hanzomon or Kasumigaseki subway stations. Before approaching the main shrine, visitors should purify their hands and mouth using the stone basin, which is part of traditional worship practice.
The bronze torii gate from 1844 is the oldest of its kind in Chiyoda-ku and was crafted by master metalworker Fujiwara Masatoki. Several nade-ushi stone cow statues allow visitors to gently stroke them, based on the belief that doing so grants wishes and brings prosperity.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
