Enchanting Shrine Festival in Tokyo: Unveiling the Secrets of Water Deities

Basic Information

Suijin Shrine is a small Shinto shrine located in Mejirodai, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, Japan.

• Address: 1-1-9 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
• Phone Number: None
• Access: 15-minute walk from Edogawabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
• Festival Days: None

Main Events and Attractions of the Festival

The Suijin Shrine Festival is a small, local festival that takes place annually in Mejirodai, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. The festival is dedicated to the water deity, Suijin, and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the local community.

Mikoshi Procession

The main event of the festival is the mikoshi procession, which takes place on the second day of the festival. A mikoshi is a portable shrine that is carried through the streets by a group of people. The Suijin Shrine mikoshi is a small, wooden shrine that is decorated with colorful cloth and tassels. It is carried by a group of local men, who chant and shout as they make their way through the streets.

Shishimai Dance

Another popular attraction of the festival is the shishimai dance. The shishimai is a lion-like creature that is often seen in Japanese festivals. The Suijin Shrine shishimai is a large, papier-mâché head that is worn by a dancer. The dancer performs a lively dance to the beat of drums and flutes.

Food Stalls

During the festival, there are a number of food stalls set up in the shrine grounds. These stalls sell a variety of traditional Japanese festival foods, such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), takoyaki (octopus balls), and kakigori (shaved ice). There are also a number of stalls selling souvenirs and crafts.

Blessings and Deities

Suijin Shrine is dedicated to the water deity, Suijin. Suijin is believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the local community, and is also associated with agriculture, fishing, and navigation.

• Benefits:
• Good luck
• Prosperity
• Good harvest
• Safe fishing
• Safe travel on water
• Deities:
• Suijin (water deity)

Origin and History

The exact date of Suijin Shrine’s establishment is unknown, but it is believed to have been founded during the Edo period (1603-1868). The shrine was originally located on the grounds of the nearby T椿山八幡宮, but was moved to its current location in 1923.

• Date of establishment: Unknown (believed to be during the Edo period)
• Original location: Grounds of T椿山八幡宮
• Current location: 1-1-9 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

Tips and Notes for Visitors

If you are planning to visit Suijin Shrine, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Access: The shrine is a 15-minute walk from Edogawabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line.
• Hours: The shrine is open 24 hours a day, but the main festival is held on the second day of September each year.
• Dress code: There is no specific dress code, but visitors are expected to dress respectfully.
• Photography: Photography is permitted, but please be respectful of other visitors and avoid using flash photography.

Parking Information

There is no dedicated parking lot for Suijin Shrine. However, there are a number of coin-operated parking lots in the surrounding area.

Popular Stalls and Food Carts in Recent Years