Oji Inari Shrine
Oji Inari Shrine was established before the Heian period, and it was very popular in the Edo period. Together with Saga's Yutoku Inari Shrine and Ibaraki's Kasama Inari Shrine, they are called the three major Inari in Japan. Oji Inari Shrine has a history of more than 1,000 years. As the main shrine of all the Inari Shrine in the Kanto region, it is highly respected by local residents. The festival is usually the first noon day of February. Every year in February, the shrine holds the first noon festival, the second noon festival, and the kite market, which is intended for protection from fire and disaster.
Oji Inari Shrine was founded on the first noon day of February 711, about 1300 years ago. As a result, Inari Shrine across the country has a custom of offering to gods on the fist noon day. Around 10AM in the morning, people sing while pounding rice paste to make red and white rice cakes. People not only worship the gods with rice cake but also hold ceremonies to pray for the abundance in harvest, health and safety, and prosperous business. The temple would distribute red and white rice cakes to visitors and invite guests to drink sweet wine made with rice.
The kite market is a traditional event handed down from the Edo period. Back in the day, Edo was often plagued by fires. With a lack of fire protection equipment back in the day, the houses mostly made from wood were even more susceptible to fire when wind started blowing. People then used kite as a wind direction indicator to observe the spread of the fire. Kites, which helped people in fire disaster by telling the direction of the wind, were considered as mascots. Even today, the people still believe it can prevent disasters and bring prosperity to business. Though Ōji Inari Shrine is not large, there are many vendors in the kite market selling different kinds of kites. The traditional kite pattern is や っ こ だ こ, a samurai kite shaped like a samurai. There are also ornaments and decorations inspired by the design of kite. In addition to traditional samurai kites, customers can choose from different patterns such as Kabuki, Ukiyo-e style, cute kimono girls. These delicate products often prompt visitors to take a few home.
Oji Inari Shrine's New Year's Eve event: There is a legend in the Oji-machi, which said that on New Year's Eve, foxes from all over the world will dress up under the big tree and visit the Ōji Inari Shrine. There is even an ukiyo-e painting by Hiroshige on the scene of foxes gathering under a big tree. On New Year's Eve in 1993, Ōji Inari Shrine for the first time reproduced the scene of a fox coming to a shrine, as according to the legend. Since then, a new culture has bred from the ancient legend. The Ōji Inari Shrine would have a fox prince to join the parade on New Year's Eve every year, to pray for children to grow up healthily and happily. People also use lanterns to represent life and hope for the coming year.
It is recommended to arrive at Oji Inari Shrine before 23:00 on December 31 to feel the atmosphere as the foxes gather. If you have not dressed up as a fox in advance, there are also a lot of shops selling fox-related items that you can transform into a fox in any moment with a mask or a makeup. The mask costs from 1,500 yen and the fox makeup costs about 500 yen. The crowded New Year's Eve parade has its unique charm, and it is not surprise to find many tourists from the United States and Europe to participate.
Address: 1 Chome-12-26 Kishimachi, Kita City, Tokyo
Transportation: You can take Tokyo Metro Namboku Line to Oji Station or JR Keihin–Tohoku Line to Oji Station. You can also take Toden Arakawa Line to Oji Station and walk for about 10 minutes.
Oji Inari Shrine was established before the Heian period, and it was very popular in the Edo period. Together with Saga's Yutoku Inari Shrine and Ibaraki's Kasama Inari Shrine, they are called the three major Inari in Japan. Oji Inari Shrine has a history of more than 1,000 years. As the main shrine of all the Inari Shrine in the Kanto region, it is highly respected by local residents. The festival is usually the first noon day of February. Every year in February, the shrine holds the first noon festival, the second noon festival, and the kite market, which is intended for protection from fire and disaster.
Oji Inari Shrine was founded on the first noon day of February 711, about 1300 years ago. As a result, Inari Shrine across the country has a custom of offering to gods on the fist noon day. Around 10AM in the morning, people sing while pounding rice paste to make red and white rice cakes. People not only worship the gods with rice cake but also hold ceremonies to pray for the abundance in harvest, health and safety, and prosperous business. The temple would distribute red and white rice cakes to visitors and invite guests to drink sweet wine made with rice.
The kite market is a traditional event handed down from the Edo period. Back in the day, Edo was often plagued by fires. With a lack of fire protection equipment back in the day, the houses mostly made from wood were even more susceptible to fire when wind started blowing. People then used kite as a wind direction indicator to observe the spread of the fire. Kites, which helped people in fire disaster by telling the direction of the wind, were considered as mascots. Even today, the people still believe it can prevent disasters and bring prosperity to business. Though Ōji Inari Shrine is not large, there are many vendors in the kite market selling different kinds of kites. The traditional kite pattern is や っ こ だ こ, a samurai kite shaped like a samurai. There are also ornaments and decorations inspired by the design of kite. In addition to traditional samurai kites, customers can choose from different patterns such as Kabuki, Ukiyo-e style, cute kimono girls. These delicate products often prompt visitors to take a few home.
Oji Inari Shrine's New Year's Eve event: There is a legend in the Oji-machi, which said that on New Year's Eve, foxes from all over the world will dress up under the big tree and visit the Ōji Inari Shrine. There is even an ukiyo-e painting by Hiroshige on the scene of foxes gathering under a big tree. On New Year's Eve in 1993, Ōji Inari Shrine for the first time reproduced the scene of a fox coming to a shrine, as according to the legend. Since then, a new culture has bred from the ancient legend. The Ōji Inari Shrine would have a fox prince to join the parade on New Year's Eve every year, to pray for children to grow up healthily and happily. People also use lanterns to represent life and hope for the coming year.
It is recommended to arrive at Oji Inari Shrine before 23:00 on December 31 to feel the atmosphere as the foxes gather. If you have not dressed up as a fox in advance, there are also a lot of shops selling fox-related items that you can transform into a fox in any moment with a mask or a makeup. The mask costs from 1,500 yen and the fox makeup costs about 500 yen. The crowded New Year's Eve parade has its unique charm, and it is not surprise to find many tourists from the United States and Europe to participate.
Address: 1 Chome-12-26 Kishimachi, Kita City, Tokyo
Transportation: You can take Tokyo Metro Namboku Line to Oji Station or JR Keihin–Tohoku Line to Oji Station. You can also take Toden Arakawa Line to Oji Station and walk for about 10 minutes.
Tours to Oji Inari Shrine
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Most Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the address of Ōji Inari Shrine?Ōji Inari Shrine address is 1 Chome-12-26 Kishimachi, Kita City, Tokyo. You can take Tokyo Metro Namboku Line to Oji Station or JR Keihin–Tohoku Line to Oji Station. You can also take Toden Arakawa Line to Oji Station and walk for about 10 minutes.
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What unique events will Ōji Inari Shrine hold?Ōji Inari Shrine's festival day is the noonday of February. Every year in February, the shrine hosts the noonday festival, the second noonday festival, and the kite market, which is for protection from fire and disaster. Ōji Inari Shrine also holds a prince fox parade on New Year's Eve to pray for children to grow up healthily and happily. The lanterns represent life and hope for the coming year.
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When does the fox parade on New Year’s Eve start?It is recommended to arrive at Ōji Inari Shrine before 23:00 on December 31 to feel the atmosphere as the foxes gather. If you have not dressed up as a fox in advance, there are also a lot of shops selling fox-related items. The mask costs from 1,500 yen and the fox makeup costs about 500 yen.
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What is special about the kite market in Ōji Inari Shrine?Though Ōji Inari Shrine is not large, there are many vendors in the kite market selling different kinds of kites. There are also ornaments, decorations, and other products at the market.
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How often is the noon festival in Ōji Inari Shrine held?Ōji Inari Shrine's festival day is the noonday of February. Every year in February, the shrine hosts the noonday festival, the second noonday festival, and the kite market, which is for protection from fire and disasters. Around 10 o'clock, people sing while pounding rice paste to make red and white rice cakes. People also worship gods with rice cakes and hold ceremonies.
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