Enchanting Delights at Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine
Basic Information
Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It is dedicated to the deity Sugawara no Michizane, also known as Tenjin, the god of scholarship and learning.
- Address: 1-7-5 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093
- Phone Number: 03-3264-3365
- Access: 1-minute walk from Hanzomon Station Exit 1, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line; 5-minute walk from Kojimachi Station Exit 1, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line
- Festival Days: April 25, 2024
Main Events and Attractions of the Festival
The Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine Festival is a lively and colorful event that attracts many visitors each year. The festival features a variety of events and attractions, including:
Mikoshi Procession
The highlight of the festival is the mikoshi procession, which takes place on April 25th. A mikoshi is a portable shrine that is carried through the streets by a team of people. The mikoshi of Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine is particularly large and impressive, and it is carried by a team of over 100 people.
Food Stalls
During the festival, the streets around Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine are lined with food stalls selling a variety of delicious treats. Visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese festival foods such as takoyaki, yakisoba, and okonomiyaki, as well as a variety of other dishes.
Performing Arts
The festival also features a variety of performing arts, including traditional Japanese music and dance. Visitors can enjoy performances by taiko drummers, shamisen players, and other traditional musicians. There are also dance performances by geisha and maiko.
Limited Edition Goshuin
During the festival, Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine offers a limited-edition goshuin, or朱印, which is a type of calligraphy that is often collected by visitors to Japanese shrines and temples. The goshuin for the Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine Festival is particularly popular, and many people line up to receive one.
- Content: A variety of events and attractions, including a mikoshi procession, food stalls, performing arts, and a limited-edition goshuin.
- Features: The festival is a great opportunity to experience traditional Japanese culture and enjoy a lively and festive atmosphere.
Blessings and Deities
Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, also known as Tenjin, the god of scholarship and learning. Tenjin is a popular deity in Japan, and he is often worshipped by students and scholars. He is also said to be a protector of calligraphy and the arts.
- Main Deity: Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin)
- Other Deities: Hachiman (god of war), Tokugawa Ieyasu (founder of the Tokugawa shogunate)
- Benefits: Success in studies, good luck in exams, protection of calligraphy and the arts
Origin and History
Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine was founded in 1478 by Ota Dokan, a powerful samurai and military commander. Dokan is said to have had a dream in which Tenjin appeared to him and instructed him to build a shrine in his honor. The shrine was originally located within Edo Castle, but it was moved to its current location in 1606 by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
- Founded: 1478
- Founder: Ota Dokan
- Original Location: Edo Castle
- Current Location: 1-7-5 Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093
Tips and Notes for Visitors
Here are some tips and notes for visitors to Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine:
- The shrine is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Admission is free.
- The shrine is a popular destination for students and scholars, especially during exam season.
- There is a small museum on the shrine grounds that displays artifacts related to Sugawara no Michizane and the history of the shrine.
- The shrine is located a short walk from Hanzomon Station on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line and Kojimachi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line.
Parking Information
There is no parking lot at Hirakawa Tenmangu Shrine. However, there are several public parking lots in the surrounding area.
- Chiyoda Ward Public Parking Lot No. 1 (千代田区立駐車場第1)：3-minute walk from the shrine
- Chiyoda Ward Public Parking Lot No. 2 (千代田区立駐車場第2)：5-minute walk from the shrine
- Times Parking Kojimachi 3-Chome (タイムズパーキング麹町3丁目)：5-minute walk from the shrine
Popular Stalls and Food Carts in Recent Years
| Type of Stall | Description |
|---|---|
| Takoyaki | A staple at Japanese festivals. Characterized by a crispy outside and a creamy inside. |
| Jaga Butter | A simple yet popular snack of hot potatoes lavishly topped with melted butter. |
| Baby Castella | Small castella cakes, sweet and fluffy treats enjoyed by children and adults alike. |
| Grilled Ayu with Salt | Fresh ayu fish grilled whole with salt, a savory taste of Japanese summer. |
| Shaapin | A unique gourmet item influenced by foreign cuisine, with a chewy skin wrapping the filling. |
| Okonomiyaki | A Japanese grilled dish where you often choose your own ingredients for a personalized flavor. |
| Cotton Candy | A fluffy, sweet snack that’s extremely popular with children. |
| Chocolate Banana | A banana coated in chocolate, a fun and visually appealing dessert. |
| Kushiyaki | Various types of ingredients skewered and grilled, an easy-to-enjoy snack. |
| Yakisoba | Fried noodles mixed with a special sauce, a fast food favorite in Japan. |
