Summer is in full swing, but a recent typhoon brought the temperatures down enough for me to go frolicking in Tokyo. I went to the famous but peaceful Nezu Shrine, one of the city’s oldest and most historic Shinto sites in the city. I also wanted to put a new camera through its paces; more on that in a future post. Getting to Nezu Shrine is super easy; just a 5-minute walk from Nezu Station (Chiyoda Line) or 6 minutes on foot from Todaimae Station (Namboku Line). While the shrine is famous for its spring azalea blooms, visiting summer meant less of a crowd but no azalea viewing. There is a huge festival in September; I am thinking of going again to check it out.
Otome Inari: Miniature Torii Gates and Sacred Fox Messengers
My main highlight was visiting Otome Inari Shrine within the complex. It features a hillside tunnel of vibrant red torii gates, similar to Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari, which I recently checked off from my goshuin wishlist. These torii, though no less spectacular, are not as tall as the ones in Kyoto, so please watch your head when walking underneath, or you can also stroll alongside them. Stone fox statues (kitsune) are all over the grounds of the Otome Inari Shrine hill, as foxes are said to be sacred messengers of Inari, the deity of rice and business prosperity.
Nezu Shrine’s Cultural Treasures & Collecting the Goshuin Stamp
Many structures of the main Nezu Shrine, such as the gates, wall, and other artifacts, are designated Important Cultural Properties by the government, having survived centuries of Tokyo’s history. Before leaving, I picked up a Goshuin (honorable red seal) with the shrine’s name and the date to remember the day. I am quickly filling out my Goshuincho I picked up in Hokkaido!
