Shimizu Inari Shrine – A Spring, a Spirit, and a Farmers’ Guardian
⛩️ Shimizu Inari Shrine
Shimizu Inari Shrine is a modest Shinto shrine tucked into what was once farmland in northern Shinagawa. It served as a place of local worship for farming households, shaped by the presence of a nearby spring and by devotion to the Inari deity.
⏳ History and significance
The shrine is thought to have been established during the Kyōhō era (1716–1736), following the appearance of a fresh spring (shimizu) on this site. Local tradition holds that the spring was relied upon even during dry years. In gratitude, villagers are said to have enshrined Inari here, linking water, rice cultivation, and everyday survival.
The shrine stands near a former course of the Meguro River, which once flowed through surrounding fields and pine groves. A nearby pine known as Yurugi no Matsu later became associated with the name Iruki no Matsu, and the bridge crossing the river took the name Iruki Bridge. Although small, the site still carries traces of the rural landscape that once defined this part of Shinagawa.
⛩️ Shimizu Inari Shrine details
Enshrined deity: Inari Ōkami (稲荷神)
Tradition: Inari faith derived from the Fushimi Inari lineage
Established: Believed to date from the Kyōhō era (1716–1736)
Ritual style: Two bows, two claps, one bow
Annual festival: Early March (first or second Sunday), with a priest from Shinagawa Shrine, hosted by the Koseki Social Association
🧭 Visitor information
Address: 5-9-18 Kitashinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0001
Best season: Spring for the annual festival; autumn for the ginkgo tree
Admission: Free
📍 Where is it?
| what3words | ///lazy.rooks.indicate |
| latitude longitude | 35.6191344 139.6960294 |
| Nearest station(s) | Osaki (Saikyō, Shōnan-Shinjuku, Yamanote and Rinkai lines) Gotanda (Yamanote line) Shimbamba (Keikyu) Kitashinagawa station (Keikyu) |
| Nearest public conveniences | Across the Yuriki Bridge over the Meguro River. There’s an outdoor one on Yamate-dori Ave. But I would use the ones inside Gate City Plaza. |
🪧 Show me a sign
Looking a bit faded.
🖋️ Withervee Says…
This is the westernmost Scene in the Shinagawa district collection. It is a small shrine in the midst of tall buildings. It has an impressive bright red torii gate and a large ginko tree.
There is a paper sign on it saying. “Thank you for visiting. When you visit, please take your offering home with you.” It’s the thought that counts, it seems.
There is still an Iruki bridge nearby, over the Meguro River. The Irugi Shrine used to be near here but was moved 1661 and 1673 because the Meguro River kept overflowing. The Shimizu Inari Shrine built over 40 years later must have had better luck.
If you are in the area take a look but don’t plan a day out or anything. And don’t leave anything behind – there is no admin.
🌳 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 followers
- Ginkgo tree photographers
- Spring water romantics
- Urban hikers
- Inari devotees
📚 Further reading
Official listings in Shinagawa City open data and shrine references. Local oral history records mention a strong farming tradition tied to the site.
Koseki Social Association (archived)
