Funamitsu Inari Jinja (船光稲荷神社) is a shinto shrine located in Minami-Aoyama, Minato Ward, Tokyo, about halfway between Omotesando Station and Gaiemmae Station.
The enshrined deity is Ukanomitama no Mikoto, associated with agriculture, grains and food, often identified with Inari, the deity of rice. It is said that was found by Empress Gemmei (660-721), the 43rd ruler of Japan, during her reign from 707 to 715.
According to legend, this area was once a sea inlet where a ship called Chojamaru, loaded with a thousand koku of rice, had taken shelter. During a storm, a five-colored light from the shrine saved the ship from sinking and sailors became devoted followers. The area later became known as Chojamaru, and today the street in front of the shrine is called Chojamaru Street.
