This blog post introduces Yasaki Inari Shrine (矢先稲荷神社), located near Asakusa in Tokyo.
Yasaki Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Taito Ward, Tokyo. It’s about a 7-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station on the Ginza Line and is close to Kappabashi Kitchenware Town.
The shrine is dedicated to Inari (稲荷神), the Shinto goddess of agriculture. People visit to pray for blessings such as good harvests, success in business, household safety, and improvement in performing arts.
In the 17th century, the Tokugawa Shogunate built the Edo Sanjusangendo temple in the Asakusa area. At the same time, they also built Yasaki Inari Shrine to protect it.
One highlight of the shrine is the ceiling of the worship hall, which features 100 paintings of historical figures on horseback.
History
Yasaki Inari Shrine traces its history back to the 17th century.
In 1642, Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, built the Edo Sanjusangendo in the Asakusa area. This building was modeled after the Sanjusangendo in Kyoto. At the same time, Iemitsu built Yasaki Inari Shrine to protect it.
In 1698, a major fire known as the Chokugaku Kaji spread through what are now Chuo, Chiyoda, and Taito Wards in Tokyo, destroying both the Edo Sanjusangendo and Yasaki Inari Shrine.
The Edo Sanjusangendo was rebuilt in 1701 in the Fukagawa area, but the local community requested that Yasaki Inari Shrine remain in Asakusa.
During World War II, the shrine was destroyed in the Bombing of Tokyo in 1945. The current shrine building was completed in 1960.
Enshrined Deities and Blessings
Uka no Mitama no Mikoto (倉稲魂命)
- Other Names: Inari no Kami (稲荷神), Uka no Mitama no Kami (宇迦之御魂神)
- Role: Goddess of grains and agriculture
- Blessings: Abundant harvests, successful business, household safety, industrial prosperity, traffic safety, and improvement in performing arts
Fukurokuju (福禄寿)
- Other Names: Fukurokujin (福禄人)
- Role: God of happiness, economic fortune, and longevity
- Blessings: Prosperity for descendants, financial success, good health, long life, popularity, and matchmaking
Highlights
The 100 Paintings of Japanese Horse Riding History
The ceiling of the worship hall at Yasaki Inari Shrine features 100 paintings with a horse-riding theme. These paintings illustrate the history of Japanese horse riding, starting with Emperor Jinmu (神武天皇), Japan’s first emperor, and ending with Takeichi Nishi (西竹一), a colonel during World War II.
The paintings were created by Ebine Shundo (海老根駿堂), a Japanese painter, at the request of the shrine and its worshippers when the new worship hall was built in 1960. The paintings were completed and dedicated to the shrine in 1964.
Visitors can see these artworks for free. However, to enter the worship hall, you need to remove your shoes. Note that barefoot entry is not allowed—you must wear socks or stockings.
It has been said that 10 of these paintings were featured in the official guidebook of the Hollywood movie The Last Samurai, starring Tom Cruise. Unfortunately, we couldn’t confirm this since the guidebook is currently out of print.
You can also view these ceiling paintings online on the following websites, which might be worth checking before visiting the shrine:
The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa (Fukurokuju)
Yasaki Inari Shrine enshrines Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Fukurokuju is the Shinto god of happiness, wealth, and longevity. Worshipping him is believed to bring blessings like financial success, good health, and a long life.
Fukurokuju at Yasaki Inari Shrine is part of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa. This refers to seven deities enshrined at nine Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Taito and Arakawa Wards. A pilgrimage to these nine sites is a fun way to explore the Asakusa area.
For more details about the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa, check the following article:
Other Useful Information
Opening Hours
Currently unknown
Phone Number
03-3844-0652
Address
Matsugaya 2-14-1, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0036
Public Transport
By Train
- 7-minute walk from Tawaramachi Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- 10-minute walk from Inaricho Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- 11-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tsukuba Express Line
For a detailed route from Tawaramachi Station to Yasaki Inari Shrine, refer to this blog post:
Tokyo Shitamachi Tour: Kappabashi Kitchenware Town and Yasaki Inari Shrine
By Megurin Bus
- 3-minute walk from Stop #28 Matsugaya on the East-West Route (via Ueno Park)
- 3-minute walk from Stop #28 Matsugaya on the East-West Route (via Uguisudani Station)
- 3-minute walk from Stop #23 Matsugaya on the South Route
Directions:
After getting off the Megurin bus, walk east toward Tokyo Skytree for about a minute. Turn right at the corner near the butcher shop “Niku no Marutake (肉のマルタケ).” From there, it’s about a 2-minute walk to Yasaki Inari Shrine.
Note:
The Megurin Bus is a community service operated by Taito Ward, offering an authentic, non-touristy travel experience. For more details, check this blog:
By Toei Bus
- 3-minute walk from Kikuyabashi Bus Stop on Route 上 23
- 3-minute walk from Kikuyabashi Bus Stop on Route 上 46
- 3-minute walk from Kikuyabashi Bus Stop on Route 草 39
- 3-minute walk from Kikuyabashi Bus Stop on Route S-08
Directions:
After getting off at Kikuyabashi Stop, you’ll see “Yawataya Chaho (八幡屋茶舗)” and “Yoshida Hoiten (吉田法衣店)” in front of you. Walk along the street between these two shops. Yasaki Inari Shrine is about a 3-minute walk from there.
Public Restrooms
There are no public restrooms at Yasaki Inari Shrine. However, you can use one at a nearby convenience store.
