Azabu Hikawa Shrine [Tokyo]

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine Summary】

Azabu Hikawa Shrine was founded in 942 (the 5th year of the Tenkei era). It is said that Minamoto no Tsuneoki established it at the present-day location of Azabu Ipponmatsu to quell the rebellion of Taira no Masakado. There is also a theory that Ōta Dōkan enshrined it in the late 15th century, but details remain unclear. Minato Ward has three Hikawa Shrines, distinguished as Shirokane Hikawa Shrine, Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, and Azabu Hikawa Shrine.

The enshrined deities are Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Yamato Takeru-no-Mikoto.

Hikawa Shrine (Musashi Ichinomiya) [Saitama]

Hikawa Shrines are found throughout Japan, with the Hikawa Shrine in Saitama Prefecture serving as the head shrine.

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine Temizuya】

The Temizuya is made from a large hollowed-out stone, making it quite an old structure.

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine worship hall】

The worship hall was destroyed in the Tokyo air raids. The current shrine building was rebuilt in 1948 (Showa 23) after the war.

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine / Oukyo Inari Shrine】

Though small, there was also an Inari shrine. Perhaps it’s read as Ōkyō? It seems to have been moved here in the early Shōwa period from where it was enshrined within the lower residence of the Matsudaira Mutsu-no-kami Sendai domain during the Edo period.

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine The model for Sailor Moon】

The 1990s anime “Sailor Moon” featured a shrine called Hikawa Shrine, where Sailor Mars/Rei Hino served as a shrine maiden. This setting reportedly drew crowds of fans during the show’s broadcast.

There was no specific explanation within the shrine grounds, so I didn’t notice. In the anime, Hikawa Shrine (火川神社) = in reality, Hikawa Shrine (氷川神社) – the reading is the same, right? Fire and ice seem like polar opposites in attributes, but it’s a clever reinterpretation. ※The image above is AI-generated.

Akasaka Hikawa Shrine [Tokyo]

Incidentally, the shrine grounds featured in the anime are said to be modeled after Akasaka Hikawa Shrine. It is located about a 30-minute walk from Azabu Hikawa Shrine.

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine History】

The original location (Azabu Ipponmatsu) reportedly covered over 6,600 square meters, but it seems to have moved to its current site after becoming part of Zojoji Temple’s holdings. Additionally, from 1954 to 1981, it appears to have managed Anamori Inari Shrine, the guardian shrine of Haneda Airport, as an affiliated shrine. One can imagine it faced various hardships during the postwar reforms.

Zojo-ji Temple [Tokyo]

Anamori Inari Shrine [Tokyo]

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine GOSHUIN】

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine Nearby attractions (within a 30-minute walk)】

Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park, Hiroo Inari Shrine, Tokyo Tower, Akasaka Hikawa Shrine

Tokyo Tower, TowerDaijingu Shrine [Tokyo]

Akasaka Hikawa Shrine [Tokyo]

【Azabu Hikawa Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

Located in a quiet residential neighborhood, it’s not a particularly large shrine, but it has a solid torii gate and is well maintained. It was striking to see many foreigners visiting, likely due to the nearby embassies and international schools. It’s a bit of a walk, but I recommend visiting it together with the Arisugawa-no-miya Memorial Park.

Site/Facility Size

 (1.5)

Richness of Nature

 (1.5)

Ease of access

 (3)

Number of tourists

 (1.5)

Address of the Azabu Hikawa Shrine

〒106-0046 1-4-23 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo

※Parking for visitors is available on the temple grounds (for a few cars).

8-minute walk from Azabujuban Station on the Namboku and Oedo subway lines

15-minute walk from Hiroo Station on the Namboku Line and Oedo Line

参考

麻布 氷川神社

麻布 氷川神社

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Akasaka Hikawa Shrine [Tokyo] Hiratsuka Shrine [Tokyo] Oji Inari Shrine and Meishu no Taki Park [Tokyo] Hie-jinja Shrine and Sanno Inari Shrine [Tokyo]