Oiwa inari Tamiya jinja, Shinto shrine in Japan
Oiwa Inari Tamiya Jinja is a small Shinto shrine in Chūō-ku with simple wooden buildings and a few trees around it. It houses a worship hall dedicated to the kami Toyōuke-hime-Okami and Tamiya-Oiwa-Mikoto, where visitors come to pray for their families and professional success.
The shrine originated in the early Edo period when the Tamiya family built a private Inari shrine in their garden and later opened it to the public. It was destroyed by fire in 1879, then relocated to Shinkawa before being rebuilt at its original Samoncho site in 1952.
The shrine is named after Oiwa, a woman from the early Edo period whom locals revered as virtuous and supportive. Visitors come here today to connect with this historical story and reflect in this quiet space in the middle of the city.
The shrine is located near Hatchobori Station and is easy to reach on foot. The best way to enjoy the quiet space is to walk slowly through the grounds where you can observe small wooden plaques and offerings left by other visitors.
A fascinating aspect is the connection to the famous kabuki play Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan from 1825, which was based on Oiwa's story and led actors to visit the shrine before performances for good luck. Although the play dramatized the story, the real Oiwa was known for her kindness and support of her family.
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