⛩️The Hikawa Shrine
Hikawa Shrine (氷川神社) in Gotanda is one of Shinagawa’s oldest local shrines, originally the tutelary shrine (鎮守, chinju) of the historical village of Kirigaya (桐ヶ谷村), in what is now Nishi-Gotanda. Documents from the Edo period show it was administered by nearby Anraku-ji Temple, with formal records dating back to at least 1668.
After the Meiji Restoration, the shrine was renamed from “Hikawa Myōjin” (氷川明神社) to simply “Hikawa Shrine.” In 1908 (Meiji 41), under government consolidation policies, the enshrined deities of the local Suwa Shrine (諏訪社), Hachiman Shrine (八幡社), and the Daimokuten Shrine (第六天社) were merged into Hikawa. The nearby Nobuta Inari (忍田稲荷社) was also added as a subordinate shrine (末社).
The Spring at Hikawa Shrine
As the name implies, water is central to Hikawa Shrine’s identity. The grounds contain a sacred spring said to bring clarity of thought and emotional calm. According to oral tradition, the spring was once a key landmark in Kirigaya village and used for ritual cleansing. Today, while the original water source is covered, symbolic water features remain part of the shrine’s peaceful setting.
The shrine continues to host seasonal events and is closely connected to the nearby Anraku-ji Temple, which holds historical documents and artifacts related to the shrine’s past. It’s a quiet, leafy retreat tucked just off a residential road — a holdover from Shinagawa’s rural past still surviving in the modern urban sprawl.
⛩️ Shrine Details
- Enshrined Deity: Susanoo-no-Mikoto (須佐之男命) – God of storms and purification
- Founded: Before 1668 (formally documented in the Edo period)
- Affiliation: Originally village chinju; now part of Shinagawa City’s local shrine network
- Annual Events: Reitaisai (Annual Festival), Autumn purification rites
- Special Feature: Spring water used for local ritual purification and spiritual cleansing
🧭 Visitor Information
Address: 5-chome Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0031
Best season: Spring for cherry blossoms; Autumn for calm and clarity
Admission: Free
Official Info: None
Where is it?
| what3words | ///surreal.clubs.opinion |
| latitude longitude | 35.62483 139.71612 |
| Nearest station(s) | Gotanda Station (JR Yamanote, Asakusa Line, Tokyu Ikegami Line) |
| Nearest public conveniences | Toilets available within nearby local parks |
Show me a sign.
Getting a bit faded but still readable. It’s facing the road.
Withervee says…
Having found the Hikawa Shrine on top of TOC (without a sign) I was surprised to find this sign by the side of the road. But then how could a spring appear on the top of a building? So, if you visit TOC there is another one on the roof.
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 shrine-goers
- Fans of quiet spots
- Urban explorers
- History lovers
- Spiritual walkers
Further reading
Tokyo Metropolitan Shrine Association
While you’re there…
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