Complete Guide: Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo) Shrines and Temples
Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

The “Shrines and Temples” category of the Tokyo Shitamachi Guide presents Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples  in Tokyo’s Shitamachi area, which is the area along and east of the Sumida River.

Each time, we recommend an engaging location for your sightseeing experience in Tokyo. In this article, we will focus on Yoshiwara Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Senzoku, Taito Ward.

Yoshiwara Shrine is closely linked to the Yoshiwara Yukaku, which was the largest legal red-light district in Japan and once existed near this shrine.

When the Yoshiwara Yukaku existed, Yoshiwara Shrine had great faith from the women who worked there. Even today, Yoshiwara Shrine remains popular among women, as they believe this shrine answers women’s wishes.

This article will provide clear and easy-to-understand information on various topics related to Yoshiwara Shrine, including:

  • Historical background
  • Enshrined deities
  • Highlights
  • Transportation options
  • etc.

Reading this article will help you gain a better understanding of Yoshiwara Shrine. You can use it as a reference when you visit the shrine.

This article is also available in Japanese. You can access it at the following link:

History

Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)
Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

According to Yoshiwara Shrine, the history of this Shinto shrine dates back to the 19th century.

In the past, the Yoshiwara Yukaku was located in this area. It was the largest licensed red-light district in Japan during the Tokugawa Shogunate era. A yukaku is a place where male customers pay to spend time with female companions.

During that period, there were five small Shinto shrines situated in and around the precincts of the Yoshiwara Yukaku, serving as protector deities for the district.

Among them, four shrines were located at the four corners of the precincts, including:

  • Kaiun Inari Shrine
  • Enomoto Inari Shrine
  • Akashi Inari Shrine
  • Kurosuke Inari Shrine

Additionally, there was another shrine situated in front of the Yoshiwara Omon Gate, which was the sole entrance to the Yoshiwara Yukaku during normal times:

  • Yoshitoku Inari Shrine

In 1872, the five Inari shrines were combined into a single location, which marked the beginning of Yoshiwara Shrine. The shrine was initially established at the site of Gentoku Inari Shrine.

In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed and burned Yoshiwara Shrine. As a result, the shrine was relocated to a place called Suidojiri, which is somewhere between its current location and the Senzoku Hoken Center Intersection.

In 1934, Yoshiwara Shrine moved to its current location and also acquired Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine, which is just a minute’s walk away, at the same time.

In 1945, the Great Tokyo Air Raid destroyed Yoshiwara Shrine. The current shrine buildings were built in 1968.

Enshrined Deities

Ukanomitama (倉稲魂命)

The main Shinto deity of Yoshiwara Shrine is Ukanomitama, who is identified with Inari, another Shinto deity.

Ukanomitama is known as a goddess of grains, agriculture, and performing arts. The blessings of this deity include:

  • Good harvests
  • Business prosperity
  • Household safety
  • Improvement in performance art
  • etc.

Ichikishimahime (市杵島姫命)

Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine, which is a subordinate shrine of Yoshiwara Shrine, enshrines Ichikishimahime, as the main Shinto deity.

This deity is said to be born from the sword of Susanoo, the god of storms and agriculture. Ichikishimahime is also known for her beauty and compassion.

According to the Honji Suijaku theory, Ichikishimahime, a Shinto deity, is identified with Benzaiten, a Buddhist deity. This theory suggests that Shinto deities are actually Buddhist deities who have taken on different forms or appearances.

Ichikishimahime is known as a goddess of water and performing arts. The blessings of this Shinto deity include:

  • Traffic safety
  • Business prosperity
  • Financial fortune
  • Improvement in performance art
  • etc.

Highlights

The History of Yoshiwara Yukaku

To gain a better understanding of Yoshiwara Shrine, it is helpful to know the history of the Yoshiwara Yukaku, which operated from the early 17th century until the 20th century.

The Tokugawa Shogunate actively promoted the development of Edo city (present-day Tokyo), which often resulted in the common people being forced to move to new locations.

Due to the frequent relocations, brothel owners requested the Tokugawa Shogunate to create a Yukaku, which is a designated red-light and entertainment district surrounded by walls and moats.

In 1617, the Tokugawa Shogunate granted permission for the establishment of a Yukaku, a red-light district, in Nihonbashi. All brothels in the city were  consolidated into a single area enclosed by walls.

This Yukaku was named Yoshiwara. This is the beginning of the Yoshiwara Yukaku.

The Tokugawa Shogunate had two primary reasons for permitting the establishment of the Yoshiwara Yukaku:

  • To ensure public morals and safety in Edo (present-day Tokyo) by centralizing brothels in a single location.
  • To streamline the tax collection process by having the landload manage the Yukaku.

In 1656, the Tokugawa shogunate ordered the relocation of Yoshiwara Yukaku from Nihonbashi to Nihonzutsumi, near Asakusa.

This relocation had two main reasons:

  • Nihonbashi had become the central area as the city of Edo grew.
  • The Great Fire of Meireki in 1657 destroyed and burned most of the city of Edo.

There were many Yukakus in Japan, including unofficial ones. However, the Yoshiwara Yukaku was the largest in scale, with over 8,000 people working there at one point.

The Yoshiwara Yukaku was more than just a red-light district; it was also a social hub for the upper class and cultural elites. As a result, it played a significant role in shaping the forefront of cultural trends at that time.

Most of the courtesans in the Yoshiwara Yukaku were highly educated and proud. Therefore, male guests were also required to be highly educated and have good manners.

In 1957, the Showa Government passed the Anti-Prostitution Law. As a result, the Yoshiwara Yukaku ended its 340-year history.

By the way, Yoshiwara Yukaku in Nihonbashi was called Moto-Yoshiwara (the former Yoshiwara), and one in Nihonzutsumi was called Shin-Yoshiwara (the new Yoshiwara).

The Yoshiwara Kannon Statue at Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine

Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)
Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine is a subordinate shrine of Yoshiwara Shrine. It is not located within the precincts of Yoshiwara Shrine but is located about a minute’s walk from Yoshiwara Shrine.

The precincts of Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine used to be a pond called the Benten Pond. The depth of the pond was about 4 meters in the center.

In 1923, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed and burned the Yoshiwara Yukaku and its surrounding areas.

The women who were trapped inside the Yoshiwara Yukaku had no way to escape, and some of them jumped into the Benten Pond to avoid the flames. As many as 490 women died as a result.

The Statue of Yoshiwara Kannon was built to hold memorial services for those women.

Aizome Sakura

Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)
Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

Aizome Sakura is a weeping cherry tree planted to the left of the Torii gate of Yoshiwara Shrine. Aizome means meeting someone you are in love with.

Aizome Sakura was originally planted near the Yoshiwara Omon Gate. During the Edo period, male guests prayed to this cherry tree for a wonderful encounter before entering the Yoshiwara Yukaku.

The original Aizome Sakura was burned down during the Great Fire of Yoshiwara in 1911, which also destroyed the Yoshiwara Yukaku and the surrounding areas.

A new Aizome Sakura tree was planted in 2013, and Yoshiwara Shrine considers this Aizome Sakura to be sacred.

For more information about Aizome Sakura, please refer to the following article:

O-Ana-Sama

Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)
Yoshiwara Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

Beside the main hall of Yoshiwara Shrine, there is a small subordinate shrine called O-Ana-sama, which means “the deity of the hole” in English.

According to Yoshiwara Shrine, this deity is believed to reside underground and protect the premises of the shrine. The shrine also claims that if one prays to O-Ana-sama with sincerity, you will surely be blessed with good fortune.

The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa (Benzaiten)

Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)
Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

Benzaiten (a.k.a. Ichikishimahime) at Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine is a member of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa.

The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa refer to the seven lucky gods who are enshrined at nine Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Taito Ward and Arakawa Ward.

Visiting the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa is a great way to explore the Asakusa area. Many Japanese tourists enjoy this activity year-round, and you can do it too.

For more information about the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa, please refer to the following article:

Remnants of Yoshiwara Yukaku

Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)
Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine (Taito, Tokyo)

At Yoshiwara Shrine and Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine, there are a number of stone monuments and other things dedicated by people involved in the Yoshiwara Yukaku.

For example, you can find the name of the owner of a famous brothel, “Kadoebi-Ro,” engraved on the wall of Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine.

Kadoebi-Ro was one of the most prestigious brothels in the Yoshiwara Yukaku. Wakamurasaki, known as the Oiran of Tragedy, worked at this brothel.

For more information on Wakamurasaki, please refer to “Grave of Wakamurasaki” in the following article:

Other Useful Information

Opening Hours

  • From 09:00 to 17:00 (the shrine office)

TEL

  • 03-3872-5966 (Senzoku Inari Shrine)

Address

  • Senzoku 3-20-2, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0031

Google Map

Public Transport (Train)

  • 10-minute walk from Minowa Station on the Hibiya Line
  • 10-minute walk from Iriya Station on the Hibiya Line

Public Transport (Megurin Bus)

  • 2-minute walk from Taito Byoin Stop on Megurin North Route (via Negishi)
  • 2-minute walk from Taito Byoin Stop on Megurin North Route (via Asakusa)
  • 2-minute walk from Taito Byoin Stop on Megurin South Route

Megurin Bus is a community bus operated by Taito Ward of Tokyo. We recommend you try the Megurin Bus when you visit Taito Ward. That’s because the Megurin Bus will take you to almost any place in the ward for a less expensive fare.

For more information about Megurin Bus, please refer to the following article:

Public Transport (Toei Bus)

  • 4-minute walk from Ryusen Stop on Route 草 43 (Kusa 43)
  • 4-minute walk from Ryusen Stop on Route 草 63 (Kusa 63)
  • 4-minute walk from Ryusen Stop on Route 都 08 (To 08)
  • 6-minute walk from Yoshiwara Omon Stop on Route 上 43 (Ue 43)
  • 6-minute walk from Yoshiwara Omon Stop on Route 草 64 (Kusa 64)

Public Restroom Availability

  • No. You can find one at Hanazono Park near the shrine.

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