Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine [Tokyo]

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine summary】

Koenji Hikawa Shrine is said to have been founded in 1189 by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first barbarian general of the Kamakura Shogunate, who stopped by during his conquest of Oshu, and ordered Adachi Fujikuro Morinaga, a military commander, to build a shrine.

As Hikawa Shrine is dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the deity of the shrine is Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine Weather forecast signboard】

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Weather Forecast SignboardThere was an LED signboard displaying the weather forecast by the torii gate, perhaps because the weather shrine has become so famous. Today’s weather was displayed. The forecast for the day was for clear skies!

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine place for ritual cleansing of hands and mouth with water】

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The flower hand-watering was very beautiful. This seems to have been conducted by a nearby florist, “shizuku.

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine main shrine】

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The approach to the shrine is short, and the main shrine building is located immediately after passing through the torii gate. The guardian dogs on both sides are unique.

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This area was destroyed by fire in the war (Tokyo Air Raid) on May 25, 1945, and the current main shrine was rebuilt in 1971. The current main shrine was rebuilt in 1971 (Showa 46). It is made of steel and looks new, although it is over 50 years old.

【Kisho (Weather) Shrine summary】

The Kyokei-jinja (Weather Shrine) was built in 1943. At the time, the shrine was located in the Army Meteorological Department in Koenji-Kita 4-chome, and was constructed by Shikao Isashiki, Director of the Army Meteorological Department, who ordered Masahiko Watarai, Section 2 of the Meteorological Department, to build the weather shrine. After being destroyed by fire during an air raid, the shrine was relocated to the west side of the current main shrine building of Hikawa Shrine in 1948. The current shrine was reconstructed in 2003 due to deterioration.

The deity is Yagokoro Omoikane-no-Mikoto.

【Yagokoro Omoikane-no-Mikoto?】

The god of wisdom in Japanese mythology, Amaterasu is believed to be the god of learning and weather, since he devised the wisdom to open Iwato (the cave door) and return Amaterasu to the outside world when Amaterasu hid in Amano-Iwato.

It is referenced as the nickname of “Omoikane,” the central computer in the anime Mobile Battleship Nadesico. In addition, the part of the geta ema that appears in the animation film “Weathering With You” is a reference to the ema of the Weather Shrine, and thus is considered sacred ground.

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As the only god of weather in Japan, students preparing to become weather forecasters visit the shrine to pray for success and clear skies.

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This weather shrine is a sacred place because an ema (votive tablet) from this shrine was featured in “Weathering With You. The shrine is believed to be modeled after Asahi Inari Shrine.

【Kisho (Weather) Shrine Mikesan】

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He said that the shrine priest, a cat lover, has been taking care of him, but he never once let him touch him. But strangely enough, he spent his time cowering nearby when praying for clear skies at the weather shrine. It seems that he was a shrine cat loved by the local people.

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine GOSHUIN】

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GOSHUIN had a combined Hikawa Shrine and Weather Shrine, with two of them illustrated in a spread. (Varies according to time of year.)

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine Nearby attractions】

Asagaya Shinmyougu Shrine, Mabashi Inari Shrine, Weather Shrine, Koenji

【Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

The temple is close to Koenji Station, making it easy to visit. Although it is located in the midst of the bustling city, the shrine grounds have a calm atmosphere. A florist in the neighborhood makes seasonal flower arrangements at the shrine, and the shrine is well-loved by the local community. There was no rain forecast for the day, but it started raining after we visited the weather shrine…even though the LED signboard said it was fine…it might rain if a rainy man or rainy woman visits the shrine.

Site/Facility Size
 (2.5)
Richness of Nature
 (1)
Ease of access
 (5)
Number of tourists
 (2.5)


Koenji Hikawa Shrine and Kisho (Weather) Shrine

Hikawa Shrine, 4-44-19 Koenji-Minami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0003, Japan

※Free parking available.

About 2 minutes walk from JR Koenji Station

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