[Shinjuku to Ichigaya] A Historic Walk for Eye Health: A “Good Luck” Route from Suwa Shrine to Chanoki Inari Shrine

For modern people who constantly strain their eyes on smartphones and computers, we have designed a Tokyo walking course with a unique and refreshing theme. This route starts at Suwa Shrine in Shinjuku (Nishi-Waseda), winds through the charming streets of Kagurazaka, and reaches its goal at Chanoki Inari Shrine (located within Ichigaya Kameoka Hachiman Shrine).

Both the starting and ending points are widely renowned for their blessings of “Ganbyo Heiyu” (healing of eye ailments and protection of eyesight). Here is an overview of this enriching walking route through Waseda, Kagurazaka, and Ichigaya.

Escape the urban bustle and reconnect with history in a peaceful, nature-filled environment. This is a “healing and luck-boosting” route designed for adults. For detailed visit reports on each spot, please follow the links to the full articles.

1.Shinjuku Suwa Shrine & Genkoku-ji Temple

〜A Serene Starting Point with a Legend of Sacred Water〜

Shinjuku Suwa Shrine and Genkoku-ji Temple [Tokyo]

Despite its proximity to the Shinjuku sub-center, Suwa Shrine offers a surprisingly quiet and verdant atmosphere. This historic shrine has long been famous for healing eye diseases; it is even said that Emperor Meiji used the shrine’s sacred water when he suffered from eye trouble.

While the water is now part of the chozuya (purification fountain), its clarity feels as though it could cleanse the souls of modern people tired from screen time. Begin your journey by purifying your hands with this sacred water and praying for your ocular health. Don’t forget to check out the “Eye Amulet”—designed for those wishing for healthy vision or recovery from illness, it provides a sense of quiet protection in daily life.

The neighboring Genkoku-ji Temple is not a typical tourist site, which is precisely its charm. It retains a deep sense of “serene prayer” characteristic of traditional temples. Visiting both together is highly recommended.

2.Hosho-ji Temple

〜A Historic Temple Next to Ana Hachimangu, Known for “Ichiyo-raifu”〜

Hosho-ji Temple [Tokyo]

Walking from Suwa Shrine toward Waseda, you will find Hosho-ji. This temple shares deep historical ties with the neighboring Ana Hachimangu Shrine, reflecting the era of Shinbutsu-shugo (Shinto-Buddhist syncretism). The path leading up the stone steps to the Main Hall carries the weight of a tradition spanning back to the Edo period.

While it lacks flashy carvings, it is wrapped in a mysterious silence that makes the city noise feel worlds away.

3.Ana Hachimangu Shrine

〜Attract Financial Luck with the “Ichiyo-raifu” Winter Tradition〜

Ana Hachimangu Shrine [Tokyo]

Adjacent to Hosho-ji, Ana Hachimangu is one of Tokyo’s most famous power spots for financial luck and business prosperity. The “Ichiyo-raifu” amulet, distributed only from the winter solstice to the beginning of spring (Setsubun), is incredibly popular. The shrine is also home to magnificent ancient trees.

The towering trees along the approach and within the grounds create a pocket of deep forest-like silence in the heart of the city—a testament to the protective energy of these sacred trees that have watched over the area since the Edo period.

4.Horin-ji Temple

〜A Social Media Sensation! Known for Beautiful Flower Water Basins and Goshuin〜

Horin-ji Temple [Tokyo]

Located near Waseda Station, Horin-ji is a stunning temple of the Nichiren sect. In recent years, it has become famous for its vibrant “Hana-chozu” (floating flower arrangements in water basins) and its incredibly artistic, seasonally changing goshuin seals.

It’s the perfect spot to let your eyes rest on colorful flowers during your walk.

5.Akagi Shrine

〜A Modern Guardian Shrine in Kagurazaka, Designed by a World-Famous Architect〜

Akagi Shrine [Tokyo]

Moving from Waseda to the Kagurazaka area, Akagi Shrine is a unique site featuring a glass-walled, modern design supervised by architect Kengo Kuma. With a stylish café on-site, you can enjoy a sophisticated blend of tradition and modernity.

The approach feels more like wandering into a beautiful garden than a formal shrine visit. With few old buildings to block the view, the sky feels wide and open.

6.Baikatei Kagurazaka (Wagashi Break)

〜Gentle Sweetness for Your Tired Feet from a Long-Established Shop〜

As you walk the cobblestone streets of Kagurazaka, take a break at Baikatei, a renowned Japanese confectionery shop.

Founded in 1935, they offer beautifully crafted wagashi with a refined sweetness—perfect for recharging.

7.Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine

〜A Guardian of Kagurazaka and Part of the “Big Dipper Barrier”〜

Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine [Tokyo]

Perched on a hill just off the main bustle of Kagurazaka, this shrine feels solemn and ancient with its stone torii gate from the Edo period. It’s a must-visit for history mystery fans, as it is part of the urban legend of the “Big Dipper Barrier” linked to the rebel lord Taira no Masakado.

8.Ichigaya Letterpress Factory

〜A Museum Exploring the History of Letterpress and the Beauty of Characters〜

Ichigaya Letterpress Factory [Tokyo]

As you head toward Ichigaya, you’ll find this cultural facility operated by DNP. Housed in a restored early-Showa-era western building, you can learn about the history of “movable type.” Exploring the visual culture of printing is an excellent thematic accent for this “eye-themed” walk.

9.Ichigaya Kameoka Hachiman & Chanoki Inari Shrine

〜Report Your Finish to the Sacred Fox of “Eye Healing” and Pet Blessings〜

Ichigaya Kameoka Hachiman Shrine [Tokyo]

The final stop is near Ichigaya Station. Ichigaya Kameoka Hachiman is famous nationwide for its rare pet blessings.

Partway up the stairs is Chanoki Inari Shrine, which holds a legend of a white fox. Like our starting point, it is deeply worshipped for its powerful blessings in healing eye ailments. Your journey comes full circle here: having cared for your eyes at the start, you pray for their continued health at the finish.

Admin’s Recommended Points

This route from Nishi-Waseda through Kagurazaka to Ichigaya offers a wonderful “gradation” of Tokyo—shifting from Edo history to modern culture and sacred prayer. The total distance is about 4 to 5 km (approx. 2.5–3 miles). I recommend taking your time, enjoying a nice lunch or sweets in Kagurazaka, and exploring the history and “eye-healing” spots at your own pace.

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Ichigaya Kameoka Hachiman Shrine [Tokyo] Shinjuku Suwa Shrine and Genkoku-ji Temple [Tokyo] Hosho-ji Temple [Tokyo] Omiya Hachiman Shrine [Tokyo]