Sometimes I walk around Shibuya and get lost and discover something new each time.
In the Dogenzaka area of Shibuya, where a lot of bars are located, is a hidden shrine known as Chiyodainari Shrine.
The shrine was founded around 1457 and Inari as the guardian deity of the shrine for Edo Castle (now known as Chiyoda Castle, now part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace). But after the great Kanto Earthquake, it was relocated to Shibuya where many homes were being reconstructed.
Founded during the Choroku era (1457-1460) when Emperor Go-Hanazono-tenno was presiding was not the most peaceful time.
To go off on a tangent, Choroku era was when people wanted to possess the sacred treasures of Japan which are the mirror (Yata no Kagami), the sword (Kusanagi) and the jewel (Yasakani no Magatama). Because of the importance of the three, no one really knows where the sacred treasures are being kept.
But it is thought that the Kusanagi is in Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, the Yasakani no Magatama jewel at the Three Palace Sanctuaries in Kokyo (the Imperial Palace in Tokyo) and the Yata no Kagami mirror at Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
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As for Chiyodainari Shrine, the first day of February there is a festival and a regular festival is held on September 14th and 15th.And the deity of this shrine is Ukanomitama, which is associated with food and agriculture and is identified as Inari, the deity of rice. Thus the guardians are foxes. The location also has a red torii and a gray torii.
It’s for the most part, a very small shrine, in the middle of nowhere, surround by bars, restaurants, motels and love hotel. But probably the closest shrine for those in this part of Shibuya.
In a way, I wish I was able to explore this location a little more but I was meeting up with friends, so it wasn’t possible.
Nevertheless, check out Chiyodainari Shrine, a shrine in the middle of Dogenzaka, Shibuya. In a location, where you would least expect it to be.
