About Hongo Hikawa Shrine
Shinto is Japan’s indigenous religion and there are more than 80,000 Shinto shrines across the country. Approximately 280 of them are Hikawa Shrines which are mostly located in the Greater Tokyo Area. Kami (deities) enshrined at Hikawa Shrine are Susanoo-no-mikoto and Kushinada-hime. Although Hongo Hikawa Shrine is a small jinja in a residential neighborhood of Nakano, Tokyo, there is something very unique about it. Our chief priest has lived overseas for more than two decades and he is not only fluent in English but familiar with Western culture as well. While respecting traditional Japanese values, we also honor a diversity of cultures and personalities and welcome anyone from all over the world.
Foundation and History
Since its foundation in 1469 as a branch of Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine in Saitama, Hongo Hikawa Shrine has been loved and worshiped by the residents of Hongo Village (now part of Honcho and Yayoicho, Nakano) for a long time. However, it was burned down in May, 1945 as a result of the Bombing of Tokyo during the World War II. Though it was left in ruin for some time, the Shrine was finally rebuilt in 1955 thanks to the effort and passion of many citizens. It’s been over 70 years since the reconstruction of the Shrine, and we celebrated the 550th anniversary in 2019. Reitaisai, the most important and sacred annual festival at the shrine, is held on the first Saturday and Sunday of October every year.
What We Offer
Hongo Hikawa Shrine offers various services such as a Shinto ritual prayer/blessing by a priest (by appointment only), seasonal Shinto goshuin (visiting certificate) and bon-odori summer festivals. We also have a variety of omamori (amulets) for your personal needs and wishes and omikuji (fortune slips).
Visit Us
Please feel free to contact or visit us if you would like to know more about the Shrine and Shinto as a religion, culture and tradition of Japan. The Shrine grounds are open to the public and the office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. everyday. The Shrine is located only 10 minutes (three stops on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line) from Shinjuku, one of the largest entertainment, shopping and business districts in Tokyo. The nearest station is Nakano-Shimbashi (Mb05) and it is a three-minute walk to the Shrine.
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