Overview
The Shinagawa District (品川地区) is the historic and cultural heart of Shinagawa Ward. Once the first post town along the Tōkaidō highway from Edo (now Tokyo), Shinagawa has a long and layered past, from ancient settlements and medieval clan strongholds to bustling Edo-period inns, port commerce, and today’s industrial and waterfront redevelopments.
Bound by the sea on its east and the Meguro River on its north, Shinagawa’s low-lying coastal terrain made it ideal for early development and trade — a position it has never relinquished.
Origins: From Ancient Settlements to Samurai Domain
Prehistoric and Early Historical Development
Archaeological evidence suggests that by the Jōmon period, Shinagawa’s coastal lowlands were already sites of human activity. In the Kamakura period, it became the domain of the Shinagawa Clan (品河氏) — retainers (家人) of the Kamakura Shogunate. Their influence is reflected in the very name of the area and in the earliest land registries and official records.
Shinagawa evolved into a temple district (寺町) over the centuries, with many religious institutions emerging during the Heian and Muromachi periods. These temples provided both spiritual and educational centers, contributing to the cultural depth of the area.
Edo Period: First Stop on the Tōkaidō and Edo’s Southern Gateway
In 1601, Shinagawa became the first post town (宿場町) on the newly formalized Tōkaidō highway — the most important route linking Edo and Kyoto. The area bustled with inns, teahouses, and entertainment catering to samurai, merchants, travelers, and even foreign dignitaries.
This post-town status earned Shinagawa the title “Edo’s front door” (江戸の表玄関).
Shinagawa also flourished as a fishing village, especially in areas like Shinagawaura and Omorikaigan. It was one of the “御菜八ヶ浦” — coastal villages supplying fresh seafood to the shogunate. Its seaweed (浅草海苔) became famous in Edo’s marketplaces.
In addition, daimyōs established seaside estates in the area. The presence of high-ranking samurai and rich merchants shaped Shinagawa into a socio-economically vibrant community.
Meiji to Early Showa Era: Industrial Emergence and Reclamation
With the fall of the shogunate and the modernization of Japan, the character of Shinagawa shifted. Factories began to line the banks of the Meguro River, leveraging its flow and proximity to the harbor.
During the Taishō and early Shōwa eras, massive land reclamation projects along Tokyo Bay changed Shinagawa’s coastline. Areas like Tennozu and Konan were created from these efforts, expanding Shinagawa eastward into the sea.
Modern Shinagawa: Innovation, Redevelopment, and Transit Hub
Today, Shinagawa District is a thriving blend of old and new. While major transportation lines like the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Yamanote Line pulse through the area, its historical roots are not lost. Streets like Kyu-Tōkaidō preserve the layout and charm of the old post town.
Major business developments like Shinagawa Intercity, Tennozu Isle, and Konan Waterfront house global tech companies, embassies, and design centers, while canals and promenades make the area walkable and scenic.
Notable Shrines, Temples, and Sites
- Shinagawa Shrine (品川神社) – A major spiritual site with commanding views and a long history.
- Tokaiji Temple (東海寺) – Founded by Tokugawa Iemitsu with connections to Takuan Sōhō.
- Seiseki Park and Goten’yama Hill – Once home to Edo-period daimyō estates, now a peaceful area with cherry blossoms.
- Tennozu Isle (天王洲アイル) – A redeveloped waterfront area with art spaces, canals, and restaurants.
Shinagawa District and the Shinagawa Hyakkei
The historic Shinagawa District is rich in shrines, temples, harbour scenery, and cultural festivals. Below are the officially recognised 36 scenic locations selected for the Shinagawa Hyakkei.
Historical & Religious Sites
Inari-dō (稲荷堂)
A modest but spiritually important Inari hall preserving local faith and folk tradition.
Shinagawa-jinja Shrine (品川神社)
A major shrine perched atop a hill, known for its long stairway, guardian dragon fountain, and spectacular views over Shinagawa.
Shinagawa Shrine Reitaisai Festival (品川神社の例大祭)
Held every June, this grand annual festival features vibrant mikoshi parades, taiko drums, and a joyful community atmosphere.
Daidai Kagura at Shinagawa-jinja Shrine (品川神社の太太神楽)
Ancient courtly dance ritual performed at the shrine to honour the gods and ensure good fortune and bountiful harvests.
Kokuzōson Festival at Yōgenji Temple (虚空蔵尊（養願寺）の縁日)
A monthly temple fair honouring Kokuzō Bosatsu, known for bringing wisdom and memory — especially popular with students and artisans.
Seiseki-kōen Park (聖蹟公園)
This small park marks the site of a former feudal lord’s honjin (official inn), offering historical markers and shaded rest spots.
Kagata Shrine and the Whale Mound (利田神社と鯨塚)
Home to a rare “whale mound” — a symbolic grave for a whale that drifted ashore, reflecting Edo-period reverence for nature.
Shimizu Inari Shrine (清水稲荷神社)
A cosy shrine tucked behind residential areas, featuring red torii gates and fox guardians. A peaceful place for quiet prayer.
Yoriki Shrine (寄木神社)
A humble local shrine believed to have ties to samurai guards (yoriki), offering protection for travellers and officials.
Myōrenji Temple and the Tomb of Masatoshi Takagi (妙蓮寺・高木正年の墓)
This peaceful temple includes the grave of Takagi Masatoshi, a prominent local official of the Edo period, remembered for his reforms and scholarship.
Honsenji Temple (品川寺)
One of Shinagawa’s oldest and most significant temples, known for its grand gate, ancient bell, and important Buddhist icons.
Edo Roku Jizō of Honsenji Temple (品川寺の江戸六地蔵)
This temple houses one of the six guardian Jizō statues placed along the old roads of Edo to protect travellers and souls of the departed.
Bell of Honsenji Temple (品川寺の梵鐘)
An enormous bronze temple bell cast in 1747, historically used to mark time in the region. It is a designated cultural property.
Kaiunji Temple and the Sentaikōjin Festival (海雲寺と千躰荒神)
This temple is famous for its Sentaikōjin — the deity of fire and kitchen safety. The festival celebrates household protection and spiritual cleansing.
Seikōin Temple and the Okudaira Family Cemetery (清光院と奥平家墓地)
Seikōin Temple is home to the ancestral graves of the Okudaira clan, powerful retainers during the Edo period, offering quiet dignity and heritage.
Tenmyōkokuji Temple Gate and Unknown Graves (天妙国寺の山門と無縁仏)
A solemn site where the grand temple gate stands over unclaimed graves, reminding visitors of the impermanence of life and the forgotten souls of history.
Tenmyōkokuji Temple Cemetery (天妙国寺の墓地)
The cemetery includes memorial stones for ordinary townsfolk and unknown residents of Shinagawa, forming part of the area’s spiritual and human history.
Tokai Seven Lucky Gods Tour (東海七福神めぐり)
A popular walking pilgrimage during New Year, visiting seven shrines and temples where each of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) is worshipped for blessings in the coming year.
Seasonal Views & Parks
Entrance Ceremony Under Cherry Blossoms (桜の中での入学式)
Every April, new students across Japan attend their school entrance ceremonies under cherry blossoms, and Shinagawa’s schools offer some of the most picturesque scenes of this seasonal tradition.
Gotenyama, Famous for Beautiful Cherry Blossoms (桜の名所の御殿山)
Once the site of a Tokugawa villa, Gotenyama is now celebrated as a premier cherry blossom viewing location with hillside trees and historical gravitas.
Gongenyama Park (権現山公園)
This elevated park was formerly a religious site. Today it provides scenic outlooks and tranquil green space for families and walkers.
Kodomo-no-mori Park (子供の森公園)
A natural-style park built for children, featuring interactive nature areas, small hills, forest trails and dinosaurs — a contrast to Shinagawa’s urban bustle.
Futsukaichi Park (二日市公園)
A community park that combines open green lawns with walking paths and seasonal flowers, popular with families and local events.
Cemeteries & Memorials
Itagaki Taisuke’s Grave (板垣退助の墓)
The grave of Meiji reformer and politician Itagaki Taisuke, who famously survived an assassination attempt and promoted democratic rights.
Oyama Cemetery at Tokai-ji Temple (東海寺大山墓地)
A peaceful cemetery located behind Tokai-ji Temple, with historical gravestones and connections to Edo-period dignitaries.
Old Red Brick Substation (赤レンガ造りの旧変電所)
A relic of Tokyo’s early electrical infrastructure, this red-brick building stands out amid the district’s evolving urban skyline.
Bridges, Waterfront & Urban Views
Yatsuyama Bridge (八ツ山橋)
Historically one of the first bridges travellers crossed upon entering Edo from the south, it now spans the border between Minato and Shinagawa wards, symbolising the city’s expansion.
View of Shinagawa Church from Shin-Yatsuyama Bridge (新八ツ山橋から品川教会方向を望む)
A scenic sightline toward the pointed steeple of Shinagawa Church, visible from the modern Shin-Yatsuyama Bridge amid the residential and business blocks.
Tennoz Park Baseball Ground and Night Game (天王洲公園野球場とナイター)
Floodlit games in this bayside ballpark add a unique glow to evening walks around Tennozu, mixing sport with urban design.
View of Waterfront in Tennoz (天王洲エリアの水辺の風景)
Boardwalks and bridges thread through this art-forward, redeveloped waterfront — one of Shinagawa’s most photogenic modern spaces.
Zemusuzaka Street Lined with Japanese Pagoda Trees (エンジュの並木のゼームス坂通り)
This gently sloped street is lined with enju (Japanese pagoda) trees, offering shade and elegance between hills and apartment blocks.
Shinagawa Shukuba Matsuri (しながわ宿場まつり)
A beloved festival that reenacts the Edo-period Tōkaidō post town with parades, costumes, and traditional performances each autumn.
An Impressive Constructure of Big Columns on Moto-nagisa-dori (元なぎさ通り沿いの大きな柱が印象的な建物 ☆)
This large building with iconic supporting columns has become a landmark of post-industrial architecture along the old Nagisa Street.
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2: Inari-do 稲荷堂
