Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine

Overview

Asagaya Shinmeigu Shrine, located in Asagaya-kita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, is dedicated to Amaterasu Omikami as its principal deity. Conveniently located a 2-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Asagaya Station, its lush green grounds offer a peaceful escape from the city's clamor, beloved by many worshippers. Its founding is said to date back to the Kenkyu period (1190-1198), when a local lord, Yokoi Hyoe, visited Ise Grand Shrine and, receiving divine guidance, brought back a sacred stone from the Miyagawa River and enshrined it at Shinmeigu Shrine. This sacred stone remains enshrined deep within the main hall to this day. During the Edo period, the shrine enjoyed deep popular faith, evidenced by a donated copper three-pronged sacred offering from 1828 (Bunsei 11) inscribed with the characters "Naito Shinjuku Nakashita Ryokan Naka Nakashita Chaya Naka". After a period as "Tenso Shrine" during the Meiji era, the shrine's name was restored to "Shinmeigu" in 1990, its name from the Edo period. A major renovation was completed in the autumn of 2009 ("Heisei's Great Renovation"), resulting in the creation of a new main hall in the Shinmei style, a new gate, and new prayer and Noh halls. The grounds cover approximately 3000 tsubo (approximately 9917 square meters) of verdant forest, featuring many giant trees, such as shii, kashi, kus, keyaki, and ginkgo, making it one of the largest Ise Grand Shrine-affiliated shrines in Tokyo. In recent years, it has also gained popularity as a wedding venue, with many couples beginning their journey here. The lush grounds serve as a tranquil haven from the urban bustle, cherished by many. Why not visit for a revitalizing experience, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the changing seasons?