Naruko Tenjinja Shrine [Tokyo]

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine summary】

Naruko Tenjinsha was founded in Enki 3 (903). It is said that vassals who were saddened by Michizane’s death brought back a statue of him from Dazaifu, where he had been exiled, and built a shrine on the grounds of the Grand Shrine (a branch of Ise Jingu Shrine) in Naruko Village (in the western part of present-day Shinjuku Ward) to worship him. Later, the Daijingu Shrine was moved to another location, and the original site became the precincts of Suga Shrine. In 1661, the shrine was built at its current location and renamed Tenmaten Shrine → Kitano Shrine → Naruko Shrine → Naruko Tenjinsha in 1928.

Since the shrine’s deity is Tenmangu Shrine, it enshrines Sugawara Michizane.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine [Fukuoka]

The head shrine of all Tenmangu shrines in Japan is Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine in Fukuoka Prefecture, founded in 919. Although there are various theories regarding its founding, it is believed that the shrine was dedicated to Michizane during the Engi period, the same period as Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.

There are several famous shrines in Tokyo dedicated to Sugawara Michizane.

Yushima Tenmangu Shrine [Tokyo]

Kameido Tenjin Shrine [Tokyo]

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine road approaching a shrine】

There is a slightly longer approach road along Ome Kaido. It is wonderful that the approach remains well preserved in this large city.

 It is fun to look for the statues of the seven gods of good fortune here and there.

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine shrine gate】

The Shinto gate can be seen on the approach to the shrine. It was built in 2014, a relatively new year. Inside are statues of the Wind God and Thunder God.

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine (main building of a) Shinto shrine】

The current shrine pavilion was built in 1966. It is made of reinforced concrete and is beautifully maintained, giving it a new look.

There is also a small “petting cow. The shrine dedicated to Michizane is also famous for its cow statue, which is said to help people feel better if they pat the part of their body that is wrong with them.

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine Husband and Wife (Female)】

There is a rather magnificent ginkgo tree, a sacred tree, in front of the shrine. It is named Meoto (married couple) because the ginkgo tree in front of the Fujizuka is a male tree, so it is likened to a married couple here.

It seems to have been there before the war and is a valuable tree that survived the air raids.

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine Grand Shrine】

It is believed that the shrine was originally located in this area and has a longer history than Tenjinsha. The shrine is dedicated to Amaterasu (Amaterasu Omikami).

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine Well and Three Pillar Torii (Mihashira Torii)】

There was a well with a rowing pump on it and a three-poster torii gate covering it.

こTorii gates with a structure of three pillars are rare and only a few of them have been confirmed in Japan. We did not know the details of why the three-pillar torii gate was built here.

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine Statue of Konohanasakuyahimenomikoto】

Konohanasakuyahimenomikoto is the wife of Ninigi no Mikoto, one of the gods in Japanese mythology. She is worshipped as the god of easy childbirth, fertility, and marriage, and is enshrined on Mt. Fuji. The reason why the statue is here may be due to the Fuji Mound and the married couple’s ginkgo tree.

There is also a statue of Konohanasakuyahimenomikoto at Isono Shrine in Ehime Prefecture, but I guess it depends on the human image.

↑The photo up is the statue of Konohanasakuyahimenomikoto at Isono Shrine in Ehime Prefecture.

Isono Shrine [Ehime]

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine mound covering reverently buried old fujis】

It was the steepest Fuji Mound I have ever climbed.

The mound itself is quite high and dangerous when wet, such as on a rainy day, so it is best to refrain from climbing it. Unfortunately, the view from the top of the mound was full of buildings…

Gokoku-ji Temple [Tokyo]

Hatomori Hachiman Shrine [Tokyo]

Shinagawa Shrine [Tokyo]

Haneda Shrine, Jiseiin Temple [Tokyo]

There are Fuji mounds like this all over Japan, and in Tokyo, they can be found at Hatomori Hachiman Shrine, Shinagawa Shrine, Gokokuji Temple, and Haneda Shrine.

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine GOSHUIN】

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine Nearby attractions】

Shinjuku Metropolitan Government Building, Juniso Kumano-jinja Shrine

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Station [Tokyo]

Shinjuku Juniso Kumano-jinja Shrine [Tokyo]

【Naruko Tenjinja Shrine Access】

Manager’s Comments

It was a magnificent shrine with a great presence in the big city of Nishi-Shinjuku. Some may feel that the shrine is a bit ostentatious and that it lacks charm, as there is a tower tower on the site, but it is relatively old and there are many places to see. I would like to recommend that you visit the shrine when you come to Shinjuku.

Site/Facility Size

 (3.5)

Richness of Nature

 (3.5)

Ease of access

 (4.5)

Number of tourists

 (2)

Naruko Tenjinja Shrine

14-10, Nishi-Shinjuku 8-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan

※Parking is available, but advance notice is required.

About 2 minutes from Exit 1 of Nishi-Shinjuku Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line

Toei Subway Oedo Line “Tochomae” Station, about 8 minutes from Exit E2

参考

【公式】ーめぐり天神ー　成子天神社・東京都新宿区西新宿

関連投稿(Related Posts):

Kameido Tenjin Shrine [Tokyo] Yushima Tenmangu Shrine [Tokyo] Hatomori Hachiman Shrine [Tokyo] Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Station [Tokyo]