Akasaka Hikawa Shrine is located in Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo, and is a historic shrine that still retains scenes from the Edo period (Period in Japanese history from 1603 to 1868).
Akasaka Hikawa Shrine is one of the “Tokyo Ten Shrines” (ten shrines recognized by Emperor Meiji as representative shrines of Tokyo to pray for the protection of the capital city and the peace of all people).
About Akasaka Hikawa Shrine
Main Hall of Akasaka Hikawa Shrine
The origin of Akasaka Hikawa Shrine dates back to 951, when a Buddhist monk spent the night in the vicinity of the present Akasaka 4-chome and was told in a dream by the deity to build a shrine pavilion of Hikawa Shrine at the site.
Later, in 1730, under the order of Tokugawa Yoshimune, the 8th shogun of the Edo Shogunate, the shrine was built at its present location.
The shrine pavilions of Akasaka Hikawa Shrine miraculously escaped the disasters of the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Bombing of Tokyo in World War II, and remain as they were when the shrine was first built.
Komainu (Statue of guardian dog)
Other historical relics such as stone monuments and lanterns insrcibed with Edo period dates and seven pairs of Komainu can still be found scattered throughout the shrine grounds.
The deity of Akasaka Hikawa Shrine is Susanoo-no-mikoto, Kushinada-hime-no-mikoto, and Oonamuchi-no-Mikoto (Okuninushi no Mikoto). And the shrine is known for its special blessings to ward off bad luck and to bring good luck in marriage.
Akasaka Hikawa Matsuri (Akasaka Hikawa Festival)
The Akasaka Hikawa Matsuri (Akasaka Hikawa Festival), which has been held since the Edo period, is said to have once attracted a large crowd of spectators to see a parade pf two Mikoshis (Vehicle of the divine spirit) and 13 Dashi (traditional wheeled float used in Japanese festivals).
It was the third largest festival in Edo period after the Tenka Matsuri (Sanno Matsuri of Hie Shrine and Kanda Matsuri of Kanda Myojin), partly because Akasaka Hikawa Shrine was under the patronage of the Edo shogunate.
The Akasaka Hikawa Shrine has a Dashi display facility where visitors can actually see the Dashis.
INFORMATION
NAME
Akasaka Hikawa Shrine (赤坂氷川神社)
ADDRESS
6 Chome-10-12 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052
ACCESS
7 minute walk from Akasaka Station.
8 minute walk from Roppongi Station.
9 minute walk from Roppongi-itchome Station.
11 minute walk from Tameike-sanno Station.
STATION INFO
(Tokyo Metro) Akasaka Station
Chiyoda Line
(Tokyo Metro) Roppongi Station
Hibiya Line
(Toei Transportation) Roppongi Station
Oedo Line
(Tokyo Metro) Roppongi-itchome Station
Namboku Line
(Tokyo Metro) Tameike-sanno Station
Ginza Line
LINK