Akasaka Hikawa Shrine

This is the shrine where Susanoo-no-mikoto, Kushiinadahime-no-mikoto, and Oonamuji-no-mikoto (three deities from Japanese mythology) are enshrined and believed to give divine favor for a good marriage match. According to an old document, it was originally established in Hitotsugi-ga-hara in Toshima, Bushu (an area overwrapping present-day Saitama and Kanagawa Prefectures and Tokyo), in 951. It was moved to the present location in 1730 by the order of Yoshimune Tokugawa (the 8th shogun). The present shrine house was constructed at that time. An architectural structure called gongen-zukuri is followed, and has the main hall, the heiden offering hall, and the haiden worship hall. Yoshimune was famous for his modest, frugal policy, and the shrine is relatively simple-looking but has a well-devised design, adding black lacquer to the mainly vermilion-lacquered exterior. On the premises are placed five small shrines, including the Shiawase Inari Shrine, named by the prominent figure in the late Edo period, Kaishu Katsu. A fox hall can be found on the premises, and the area has a unique atmosphere. You must see the 25-meter-tall and about 400-year-old great gingko tree. It is an 8-minute walk from the Akasaka Station on the Subway Chiyoda Line.