Shinagawa-jinja Shrine – Dragon Torii, Mountain Mounds, and Steeped Spirit
Shinagawa-jinja Shrine is a standout among Tokyo’s sacred sites. Founded in 1187 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, it has protected travelers, merchants, and sea-goers for over 800 years. But this isn’t just a historical footnote — it’s a living shrine that pulses with festivals, rituals, and foot traffic from locals who still believe in its power.
Visitors are greeted by its famously steep stone stairway, which doubles as a mikoshi obstacle course during festivals. Towering above it stands a rare and dramatic Double Dragon Torii, one of only a handful in Japan. Shinagawa-jinja is both spiritually and visually striking — the kind of place where centuries layer visibly before your eyes.
📖 Shrine History of Shinagawa-jinja
Shinagawa-jinja Shrine was founded in 1187 by the shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo. To protect sea routes and maritime travelers, he invited the enshrined deity Ame-no-Hirinome-no-Mikoto from Suzaki Shrine in Awa Province (present-day Chiba). This deity, also known as Suzaki Myōjin, came to be venerated locally as the Shinagawa Daimyōjin.
The shrine’s national prominence grew in 1600, when Tokugawa Ieyasu is said to have prayed here before departing for the Battle of Sekigahara. Following his victory, Ieyasu donated a sacred mask and a portable shrine (mikoshi), along with a land grant of five koku — a significant endowment. The shrine was thereafter treated as a Tokugawa family shrine and granted permission to display the family crest: the Three Hollyhock Leaves in a Circle (Mitsuba Aoi).
In the Meiji era, Shinagawa-jinja was selected as one of the Tokyo Jissha — the “Ten Shrines of Tokyo” — to serve as spiritual guardians forming a ring around the new Imperial Palace. These were handpicked by Emperor Meiji as symbols of cultural continuity and spiritual protection.
The current shrine buildings were reconstructed in 1964, combining reinforced concrete with traditional architectural motifs. More recently, in 2020, the shrine underwent restoration as part of the Gotaiten Kinen Jigyō (御大典記念事業), or “Commemorative Projects for the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor.”
From feudal strategy to imperial symbolism, Shinagawa-jinja has long stood at the spiritual crossroads of Tokyo’s southern gateway — a sacred site of power, prayer, and political legacy.
🐉 Double Dragon Torii – Guardians of Power
The Double Dragon Torii at the base of the shrine’s staircase features two intricately carved dragons coiled around its pillars — a style known as Niryū torii. The left dragon faces upward, drawing fortune; the right faces downward, absorbing misfortune. A symbolic tug-of-war between gain and protection, etched in stone.
Stand beneath it and you’ll understand why this gate is said to channel spiritual energy directly into the heart of the shrine. A must-photo spot for pilgrims and photographers alike.
🗻 The Fujizuka – Climb Mount Fuji in Tokyo
Tucked on the left of the main hall is a sacred mound — a Fujizuka — built from actual volcanic stones from Mount Fuji. In the Edo period, those who couldn’t afford to make the pilgrimage to Fuji would climb these mini-mountains instead. It’s climbable, complete with shrines, and provides a hidden panoramic view of Shinagawa.
Some still make the climb barefoot in summer, believing it mimics the true Fuji pilgrimage. It’s one of the oldest surviving Fujizuka in Tokyo.
💧 Dragon’s Mouth Spring – Ichiryū Manbai no Ido
To the right of the main hall lies a small, stone-lined spring called Ichiryū Manbai no Ido (一龍萬倍の井戸) — “The Well of One Dragon, Ten Thousand Blessings.” Said to be a power spot, visitors come to splash their wallets or hands with water, hoping to multiply their fortunes.
The name derives from folk belief that a single righteous act (the one dragon) can bring a thousandfold return. Photogenic and serene, it’s one of the most quietly popular features of the shrine grounds.
⛩️ Sub-shrines – A Pantheon on the Hill
Shinagawa-jinja houses several minor shrines or 末社 (massha) within its precincts, each serving a different aspect of everyday life. These include:
- Inari Shrine: For prosperity and agriculture, guarded by fox statues
- Daikokuten Shrine: For wealth and commerce
- Ebisu Shrine: For safe travel and trade
- Tamamura Inari: For marriage and relationships
Together, these form a full blessing circuit for visitors — covering food, love, money, and movement.
🎊 Festivals at Shinagawa-jinja
Shinagawa-jinja hosts several important festivals throughout the year. Two of them are so iconic, they’re featured separately in the Shinagawa Hyakkei series:
- Daidai Kagura (太太神楽): A traditional sacred dance offered to the gods, performed with masks and instruments in the shrine’s kagura-den. This centuries-old ritual is both elegant and entrancing.
- Reitai-sai Festival (例大祭): The shrine’s grand annual event in early June, featuring portable shrines (mikoshi), music, food stalls, and a steep stairway climb that energizes the entire neighborhood.
In addition to these major festivals, Shinagawa-jinja also holds the Oharai Festival (大祓) twice a year — once in late June and again in December. This is a purification ceremony to rid oneself of accumulated misfortunes, bad luck, and spiritual impurities.
Participants pass through a large straw ring (chinowa), symbolizing rebirth and renewal, while reciting prayers for cleansing. Many Tokyoites attend this to spiritually “reset” before the summer heat and the new year. It’s quieter than the big festivals, but deeply moving in its simplicity.
🌀 Shrine Details
- Enshrined Deity: Amenohirinome-no-Mikoto (天比理乃咩命)
- Affiliation: Shinto – Independent
- Founded: 1187 CE by Minamoto no Yoritomo
- Annual Events: Shinagawa Shukuba Festival, Daikoku Festival, New Year’s Blessings
Shinagawa-jinja remains an active place of faith, with deep roots in Edo-period Goryō worship — a tradition centered on pacifying spirits to bring harmony to communities.
📍 Visitor Information
Address: 3-7-15 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-0001
Best time to visit: Early summer for festivals, year-round for serenity
Admission: Free
Official Info: https://shinagawajinja.tokyo/
Where is it?
| what3words | ///shopping.downward.petted |
| latitude longitude | 35.6179177 139.7379243 |
| Nearest station(s) | Shinbanba Station (Keikyū Main Line) Kitashinagawa Station (Keikyū Line) |
| Nearest public conveniences | Within the Shinagawa Shrine |
Show me a sign.
A triple sign. Two of them refer to events. A festival and a dance performance. Nearby, there is another double sign for the Seven Luck Gods Tour and Itagaki Taisuke’s graveyard
Withervee says…
This is one of the best “big small” shrines in Tokyo. It’s packed with power spots, weird history, and photogenic ritual drama. If you only have time for one shrine in Shinagawa — make it this one.
Shinagawa-jinja is the guardian shrine of Kitashinagawa, and every June, the annual festival (reitai-sai) Tenno-sai (also known as the Kita no Tenno-sai) is held at the shrine. (Not to be confused with the Minami no Tenno-sai festival which is at Ebara Shrine).
Be careful if you choose to climb the Fujizuka. It’s a health and safety nightmare!
Site Character
- Lifestyle 生活 (Seikatsu): ✔️
- Historical Significance 歴史 (Rekishi): ✔️
- Atmosphere/Natural Features 風土 (Fūdo): ✔️
Who in their right mind would vote for this?
- Local (Shinto) believers
- Spiritual tourists
- Goryō geeks
- Power spot pilgrims
- Insta-hunters with sore legs
Further reading
Official Site
Visiting the Tokyo Jissha – 10 Tokyo Shrines (Japanese)
