Walk through corridors of torii gates, spot dozens of fox statues and watch as worshippers collect sacred sand at this small Shinto shrine.
The Anamori Inari Shrine honors the Shinto goddess of rice, prosperity and wellbeing. Devotees visit the shrine to pray to the deity Inari and ask for good fortunes and success in their business activities. Travelers visit to admire the traditional Japanese temple architecture and intricate sculptures. Arrive during the lantern festival to see the shrine bathed in a romantic light.
Established in 1818, the shrine originally stood on the grounds of what is now Haneda Airport. It was relocated to its current position in the mid 1940s. The design of the shrine is inspired by Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari Shrine, which is the principal shrine for the goddess Inari.
Red-painted gates called torii form corridors leading from the central courtyard to a series of oyashiro (miniature shrines). Each oyashiro represents a different blessing such as economic prosperity and favorable results for those about to take exams. Ornamenting these oyashiro are delicately carved fox statues, known as kitsune. In Japanese folklore foxes are the messengers of Inari and believed to possess supernatural powers.
As you explore the complex, pause to observe Shinto followers asking for blessings. Watch as they gather sand in bags to take with them back to their homes and shops. Legends say that sprinkling sand in the doorway of a shop will generate customers.
If you are here in late August be sure to visit the shrine for the Anamori Inari Lantern Festival. As darkness falls, hundreds of paper lanterns are lit and create a mystical ambiance with their flickering flames. Study the drawings on each lantern, listen to percussion music and watch shows performed by local dance groups. Feast on karaage fried chicken, yakisoba (fried buckwheat) and other Japanese fare served at market stalls.
Anamori Inari Shrine stands in the Haneda district of Ota City. Get here by taking the train to Anamori-Inari Station and then walking for 5 minutes. Haneda Airport is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) east of the attraction.
