🌳 Shimizu Inari Shrine – A Spring, A Spirit, and the Farmers’ Guardian
⛩️Shimizu Inari Shrine
Shimizu Inari Shrine is a modest yet meaningful Shinto shrine nestled in what was once farmland in northern Shinagawa. It was a sacred place for local farmers, known for its life-giving spring and its dedication to the Inari deity.
⏳ History and Significance
The shrine was established during the Kyoho era (1716–1736) after a fresh spring (shimizu) emerged on this site. Even during long droughts, the spring never dried up. Locals relied on it for water, and in gratitude, they built a shrine to honor the Inari deity. “Shimizu” means clear water, and Inari is the god of rice, fertility, and success — making the shrine an important guardian of agriculture and prosperity in the area.
The shrine stands near where the Meguro River once flowed through fields and pine trees. A nearby pine called “Yurugi no Matsu” eventually became known as “Iruki no Matsu,” and the bridge over the river was named Iruki Bridge. This site, though small, carries the echoes of rural life and community resilience.
🙏 Shimizu Inari Shrine Details
Main Deity: Inari Kami (推定稲荷神)
Affiliation: Fushimi Inari Taisha (Kyoto)
Established: Circa Kyoho era (1716–1736)
Rituals: Two bows, two claps, one bow
Annual Festival: Early March (first or second Sunday), with a priest from Shinagawa-jinja, 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 ginkgo viewing)
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 | Over 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)
