Akasaka Hikawa Shrine

Akasaka Hikawa-jinja (赤坂氷川神社) is a shinto shrine located in Akasaka, Tokyo. It is one of the many branch shrines of Hikawa Jinja (in Omiya, Saitama).

The enshrined deities are Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushiinadahime-no-Mikoto and Oonamuji-no-Mikoto, also known as Okuninushi-no-Mikoto. It is well-known as a shrine of matchmaking, protecting against misfortune, peace and prosperity in the household and thriving business.

It was founded in 951 and moved to its current location in 16th century, when the Tokugawa Yoshimune, the 8th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate, ordered its construction (1729). The shrine buildings are built in gongen-zukuri style, in which the main building, the offering hall and the worship hall are integrated into a single structure.  The original building has survived from the Ansei Great Earthquake (1855), the Kanto Great Earthquake (1923) and also from the Great Tokyo Air Raids (1945).

Every year in the middle of September is being held the Akasaka Hikawa Matsuri.

Hikawa Jinja is 8 min by foot from subway Akasaka Station, Roppongi Station, or Roppongi-itchome Station.

A 400 year-old ginko tree

 

photos: Junko Nagata © Japanbyweb.com

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Official website: Akasaka Hikawa Jinja