The “Shinto Shrines” section of the Tokyo Shitamachi Guide introduces various shrines in Tokyo’s Shitamachi area, located along and east of the Sumida River. Each article highlights a must-visit shrine to enhance your Tokyo sightseeing experience.
This article features Yoshiwara Shrine, a Shinto shrine located in the Asakusa area of Taito City.
Yoshiwara Shrine has a deep connection to Yoshiwara Yukaku, once the largest legal red-light district in the area, which operated for nearly 380 years.
In the past, the shrine was deeply revered by women working in Yoshiwara Yukaku. Today, it remains a popular destination for women, as it is believed to grant their wishes.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- History
- Deities enshrined
- Highlights
- Access
- And more!
By the end, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Yoshiwara Shrine. Be sure to refer to it when planning your visit!
History
According to Yoshiwara Shrine, its origins date back to the 19th century.
In the past, this area was home to Yoshiwara Yukaku, Japan’s largest legal red-light district. This district was a place where men paid to enjoy the company of women.
At that time, five Inari Shrines were located inside and around the grounds of Yoshiwara Yukaku to protect the district.
At the four inner corners of the Yoshiwara Yukaku grounds, the following four Inari Shrines were located:
- Kaiun Inari Shrine
- Enomoto Inari Shrine
- Akashi Inari Shrine
- Kurosuke Inari Shrine
In front of Yoshiwara Omon Gate, the only entrance and exit to Yoshiwara Yukaku, the following shrine was located:
- Gentoku Inari Shrine
In 1872, these five Inari Shrines were combined into one, a process known as goushi (the merging of deities from multiple locations into a single shrine). This marked the beginning of Yoshiwara Shrine, which was initially built on the former site of Gentoku Inari Shrine.
In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed Yoshiwara Shrine, leading to its relocation to Suidojiri, an area between today’s Yoshiwara Shrine and the Senzoku Health Center intersection.
In 1934, Yoshiwara Shrine was moved to its current location. At the same time, Yoshiwara Benzaiten, a nearby shrine, was merged with it.
In 1945, the Bombing of Tokyo destroyed the shrine again. The current shrine building was completed in 1968.
Deities Enshrined
Ukanomitama
Hikan Inari Shrine is home to Ukanomitama, the Shinto deity of grain, agriculture, and the performing arts. This deity is also known as Inari Okami, the Shinto deity of grain and harvest.
Ukanomitama’s main blessings include:
- Good harvest
- Business success
- Household safety
- Improvement in performing arts
- And more
Ichikishimahime
Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shirne, an auxiliary shrine of Yoshiwara Shrine, enshrines Ichikishimahime.
Ichikishimahime is one of the three Munakata goddesses, born from the sword of Susanoo. She is renowned for her extraordinary beauty.
As a deity associated with water and the arts, her blessings include:
- Business success
- Travel safety
- Financial fortune
- Improvement in performing arts
- And more
Highlights
Yoshiwara Kannon Statue at Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine
Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine, an auxiliary shrine of Yoshiwara Shrine, is located about a one-minute walk from the main shrine grounds.
The shrine is home to the Yoshiwara Kannon Statue, which was erected in 1926.
The site where Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine now stands was once a pond called Benten Pond, also known as Hanazono Pond. This pond was said to be about 4 meters deep at its center.
During the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, fires devastated Yoshiwara Yukaku and the surrounding areas.
Tragically, women trapped with no escape route in Yoshiwara Yukaku jumped into Benten Pond to escape the flames. It is said that as many as 490 women lost their lives in this disaster.
The Yoshiwara Kannon Statue was built to honor and pray for the souls of these women.
Aizome Sakura (Cherry Blossom Tree of Fated Meetings)
On the left side of Yoshiwara Shrine’s entrance stands a weeping cherry blossom tree called Aizome Sakura. The name “Aizome” means a meeting with someone you deeply love.
Originally, the Aizome Sakura was planted near the Yoshiwara Omon Gate, the sole entrance to Yoshiwara Yukaku. During the Edo period, male visitors would pray beneath this tree for meaningful encounters before entering the pleasure district.
The original Aizome Sakura was lost in the Great Yoshiwara Fire of 1911, a catastrophic blaze that destroyed Yoshiwara Yukaku and its surrounding areas.
The current Aizome Sakura was replanted in 2013 and is now regarded as a sacred tree of Yoshiwara Shrine.
Traces of Yoshiwara Yukaku
Several stone monuments and other relics, donated by individuals connected to Yoshiwara Yukaku, still remain at Yoshiwara Shrine and Yoshiwara Benzaiten.
For example, the tamagaki (a fence surrounding the shrine) at Yoshiwara Benzaiten is inscribed with the names of people linked to the pleasure district, including Kadoebiro.
Kadoebiro was one of the most prestigious establishments in Yoshiwara Yukaku. It was also where Wakamurasaki, a courtesan known as a tragic oiran, once worked.
For more details about Wakamurasaki, refer to the section “Grave of Wakamurasaki” in the next article.
Additional information
Opening Hours
Yoshiwara Shrine is open for visitors at any time. However, the shrine office is only open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TEL
- 03-3872-5966
Address
- Senzoku 3-20-2, Taito-Ku, Tokyo 111-0031
