Atago Shrine, Shinto shrine on Atago Hill in Minato, Japan
Atago Shrine is a Shinto sanctuary on Atago Hill in Minato, reached by a steep stone staircase with 86 steps. The complex includes several buildings with curved roofs and red wooden elements, surrounded by old trees.
The shrine was founded in 1603 at the request of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu to protect Edo from fires. After heavy war damage in 1945, the buildings were rebuilt in the following decades.
The name Atago comes from Mount Atago in Kyoto and links the site to a long tradition of protection against fire and disaster. Visitors often see small offerings and charms left by people seeking safety from flames and misfortune.
The climb up to the summit is steep and can be slippery when wet, so wear good shoes. A visit usually takes half an hour and works best in the morning when fewer people are around.
During the Edo period, a samurai rode his horse up the steep steps to deliver plum blossoms to the shogun, a story still told today. Many visitors do not know that a narrow alternative path winds through the forest beside the stairs.
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