If there is one shrine in Tokyo that many people want to see but many are scared of heights are afraid to visit is Atago Shrine in Minato.
Established back in 1603 on the order of shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, the shrine is known for its very steep stairs and during the old days, was well-known as a location for one to see a view of Tokyo, as Atago Hill is 85 feet above sea level.
According to legend, a young samurai named MAGAKI HEIKUROU was dared to ride his horse up the stairs after being challenged by the shogun to deliver him plum blossoms. It supposedly took one minute for the horse to get up but 45 minutes to get down and the horse was exhausted. But the Shogun praised him as a great rider in Japan.
Everyone knows these steps are a symbol for success in life and so these steps are called SHUSSE no ISSHIDAN.
As I watched people going up (and down), while most younger adults had no problem going up, many children and elderly had a tough time and decided to go on the right side, a shorter, much easier stairs to go up to Atago Shrine.
Now getting up the steep hill, was no problem for me. But being a guy who is afraid of heights, looking down on the other hand and trying to take photos, made me feel a bit fearful of heights.
But managed to go down, just looking at the stairs and my feet, so I didn’t fall and by the time you know it, you’re back down.
Panoramic view of Atagoyama circa 1770, by Kitao Shigemasa
On tomorrow’s post, I will discuss what’s above the steep hill and the actual Atago Shrine.
But I will say, after I went to Atago Shrine, I felt it was one of the steepest shrines I have been to. Of course, Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto was more of a challenge, as with a Shrine in Mt. Takao but in terms of straight stairs going up, I think Isosaki Jinja Shrine in Ibaraki may have more steps than Atago Shrine.
But nevertheless, Atago Shrine is in Tokyo and it’s no doubt a fascinating shrine to visit. And I will discuss more about the shrine in tomorrow’s post.
