Hanazono Shrine

Hanazono-jinja occupies a plot in the commercial district of Shinjuku and includes several smaller shrines within its grounds. Wooden and stone torii gates mark the entrances, while stone lanterns line the pathways between the prayer halls.

The shrine moved to its current location during the Kan'ei era between 1624 and 1644 after leaving the site now occupied by Isetan Department Store. This relocation followed urban changes in the early Edo period as the area around Shinjuku developed as a post station along the Kōshū highway.

Merchants and visitors gather here during the November Tori-no-Ichi Festival to purchase kumade rakes adorned with symbols of good fortune. These decorative bamboo rakes carry charms meant to bring commercial success and are blessed in special ceremonies before being displayed in shops or homes.

The grounds open daily from 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening, with amulets and religious items available until 4:30 in the afternoon. The main entrance sits about 350 meters (1150 feet) from Shinjuku-sanchome Station and can be reached through side streets between larger commercial buildings.

On Sundays the grounds transform into an antique market where collectors and sellers exchange objects from past decades amid the modern towers of Tokyo. The combination of traditional religious structures and temporary market stalls creates an unusual atmosphere in the heart of the commercial district.

Location: Shinjuku

Address: 東京都新宿区新宿5丁目17番3号

Website: http://hanazono-jinja.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 35.69355,139.70518

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:23