Within Ginza, you will find over 10 unique shrines and temples. These shrines and temples can usually be found hidden away among the skyscrapers and fashion buildings, but trust us, they're worth visiting. The locations themselves are so popular there is even an event that takes place known as the "Visiting Ginza Hatcho Shrines". In this article, we are going to be introducing our top 4 out of all the amazing shrines and temples as well as what makes each one special.
Ginza Shrine's & Temple's Characteristics
The shrines and temples which you will find within Ginza may differ from your typical image. The shrines and temples themselves are typically quite small, and many of them are surrounded by highrise buildings or fashion buildings, most of which are actually built on top of said buildings.
Furthermore, due to Ginza being a shopping district, you will find that most of these shrines and temples are "Inari Shrines" which are said to bring about prosperous business. Below you can find a list of all the shrines that are introduced at the "Visiting Ginza Hatcho Shrines" event. Within this list, 10 of them are the aforementioned Inari Shrines.
- Saiwai Inari Shrine
- Ryuko Fudoson
- Asahi Inari Shrine
- Hoju Inari Shrine
- Hodo Inari Shrine
- Ginza Shusse Jizoson
- Kabuki Inari Shrine
- Azumalnari Shrine
- Kakugo Inari Shrine
- Seiko Inari Shrine
- Toyoiwa Inari Shrine
- Kumagai Inari Shrine
Our Most Recommended Shrines & Temples
Below, we are going to introduce our top 4 most recommended shrines and temples from this list being Ryuko Fudoson, Kakugo Inari Shrine, Asahi Inari Shrine, and Ginza Shusse Jizoson.
Ryuko Fudoson
Ryuko Fudoson is a temple that was built in the year 1929 on the rooftop of Matsuya Ginza.
It is said to offer fulfillment of wishes as well as prosperity for business. Furthermore, its name "Ryuko" in Japanese, can also mean "trend" which is believed to have it linked to allowing local businesses to be able to know about and keep up with the latest trends.
The grounds for the temple is quite open, which is rare for any shrine or temple within Ginza. There are trees that surround the temple itself, and the surrounding leaves are painted a beautiful red during autumn.
- Worship Hours：Follows the business hours of Matsuya Ginza
- Address：3 Chome-6-1 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
- Access：Directly Linked to the A12 Exit of the Tokyo Metro "Ginza Station"
Kakugo Inari Shrine
Kakugo Inari Shrine can be found on the rooftop garden of GINZA SIX. It enshrines a diety that assists in fire prevention and business prosperity, this diety and shrine is believed to have protected the area during the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1925 as well as other disasters.
In reality, Kakugo Inari Shrine was actually moved to the rooftop garden of GINZA SIX in 2017. It was originally located in Higashinippori from its erection in 1815, before being split between the Ueno and Ginza Matsuzakaya stores and finally being relocated to GINZA SIX in 2017.
In front of your eyes, you will see Tokyo Bay, which means you can combine visiting the shrine and sightseeing into one trip.
- Worship Hours：Follows the business hours of GINZA SIX
- Address：6-chōme-10-1 GinzaChuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
- Access：2-minute walk from Exit A3 of the Tokyo Metro "Ginza Station"
Asahi Inari Shrine
Asahi Inari Shrine is a small shrine located on the first floor of the Ohiro Asahi Building. The main shrine can be found on the rooftop of the building, and it's possible to reach it via the available elevator. The enshrined deity here is said to bring about prosperity within business and households as well as marriage.
This shrine holds a lot of history and is said to have been erected around the year 1700. However, it was destroyed in the 1800s due to a major earthquake. The current shrine was reconstructed around 1950.
You're able to buy charms and seal stamps on the 8th floor.
- Worship Hours：1st Floor Shrine 7:30~17:00 ／ Roof Main Shrine 9:30~19:00
- Address：3-chōme-8-12 GinzaChuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
- Access：2-minute walk from the Tokyo Metro / Underground "Ginza Station" or "Higashi-ginza Sta."
Ginza Shusse Jizoson
Ginza Shusse Jizoson can be found on the 9th floor of MITSUKOSHI Ginza store, it is located within a terrace garden and has a Kshitigarbha (bodhisattva who looks over children, travellers and the underworld). As the name suggests, this diety is said to increase fate and fortune in relation to work. The name was apparently given due to the small statue climbing all the way to the roof from the floor of the department store.
The main Jizo can be found within the shrine itself, but pay attention to the nearby Jizo when you visit the shrine.
At the nearby shrine office, you are able to purchase fortune slips and netsuke (carved toggle used to tether a small container to the sash of a robe).
- Worship Hours：Follows the business hours of MITSUKOSHI Ginza store
- Address：4-chōme-6-16 GinzaChuo City, Tokyo 104-0061
- Access：Directly next to the A7 exit of the Tokyo Metro "Ginza Station"
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