Kagurazaka: Walking up the Slope from Tokyo Daijingu Shrine in Iidabashi to Bishamonten and Akagi-jinja Shrine

This course takes you to Tokyo Daijingu Shrine in Iidabashi for a visit, up Kagurazaka-dori Street, and on to Zenkoku-ji Temple, which enshrines Bishamonten, and Akagi-jinja Shrine, the general tutelary shrine of Ushigome.

History and Local Charm

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, located near Iidabashi Station, was founded in Hibiya in 1880 (Meiji 13) as a hall of worship from afar to revere Ise Jingu from Tokyo, and moved to its present site in 1928 (Showa 3), after the Great Kanto Earthquake. Right next to the station exit, Kagurazaka-dori Street begins. Built during the Edo period, this sloping street had the Ushigome-gomon Gate, an outer gate of Edo Castle, at its starting point. When Zenkoku-ji Temple was relocated here in 1792 (Kansei 4), large crowds of worshippers began visiting on festival days. Entering the Meiji period, a geisha district also emerged, and after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the area was even referred to as "Yamanote Ginza." Further along stands Akagi-jinja Shrine, the general tutelary shrine of Ushigome. Its current main hall was rebuilt under a revitalization project with design supervision by architect Kuma Kengo. From a Meiji shrine to an Edo-period slope, and from alleys preserving the traces of a geisha quarter to modern architecture, eras overlap along this short route.

Major Highlights

• ​Tokyo Daijingu Shrine​​: Known as "Tokyo's Ise-sama" because it enshrines the deities of the Inner and Outer Shrines of Ise Jingu. It is the shrine that originated the Shinto wedding ceremonies widely practiced today and is also known as a shrine for matchmaking.
• ​Kagurazaka-dori Street​​: Lined with traditional craft shops, souvenir stores, eateries, and Japanese confectionery shops. Near present-day Kagurazaka 3-chome stands a monument for Utagawa Hiroshige's print Ushigome Kagurazaka no Zu. Tucked away to the sides are stone-paved alleys such as Hyogo Yokocho and Kakurenbo Yokocho.
• ​Zenkoku-ji Temple​​: Its principal image, the statue of Bishamonten, has been revered since the Edo period as "Kagurazaka's Bishamon-sama." Passing through the vermilion-lacquered gate, you will find stone tigers seated on the left and right in front of the main hall, representing the "A-un" pair. The festival day of this Bishamon also appears in Natsume Soseki's novel Botchan.
• ​Akagi-jinja Shrine​​: It is said to have originated in 1300 (Shoan 2) when an influential clan from Ogo moved to Ushigome and enshrined the deity. The shrine features a modern glass-walled main hall, plain wood pillars, and a roof that recreates the traditional yamatobuki style with steel panels.

Recommended Route and Time Required

The estimated time required is about 3 hours. Exit the West Exit of JR Iidabashi Station, head left, cross Ushigome Bridge, and turn left at the second crossroads to follow the road to Tokyo Daijingu Shrine. After worshipping, retrace your steps and cross Ushigome Bridge again. Right next to the exit of Iidabashi Station is Kagurazaka-shita, where Kagurazaka-dori Street begins. From Tokyo Daijingu Shrine to the middle section of the street is approximately 530 meters west-northwest. As you walk up the slope, take some time to explore the side alleys. Because you will be walking along slopes and stone-paved alleys, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Zenkoku-ji Temple is about 160 meters west of the middle section of the street. After your visit, you can also stroll through Hyogo Yokocho, which extends north from in front of Zenkoku-ji Temple. Akagi-jinja Shrine is approximately 470 meters northwest of Zenkoku-ji Temple. For the return trip, Exit 1b of Kagurazaka Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line is a 1-minute walk from Akagi-jinja Shrine.

Experience Summary

Offer your prayers at "Tokyo's Ise-sama," walk up the slope once depicted by Hiroshige, pass through the vermilion gate of Bishamon-sama, and arrive at the shrine building supervised by Kuma Kengo. Experience the journey of Kagurazaka, which once thrived with festival days and the geisha district, alongside the tactile feel of its stone pavings.