Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Tokyo

Kameido Tenjin Shrine is a shrine located in Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo. Kameido Tenjin Shrine, also known as “Kameido Tenmangu” or “Tenjin-sama of Kameido”. “Tenjin-sama” is Sugawara Michizane who was revered as “Tenman Ohkami” after his death. At this shrine, along with “Tenman Ohkami”, “Amenohohinomikoto”, which is the guardian deity of Sugawara Family, is enshrined.
The precinct is somewhat compact, but the highlight is the three bridges from Otorii to the main shrine. Every bridge is on a pond called “Shinji-ike Pond”. This pond is made after the Dazaifu Tenmangu in Kyushu, known as the birthplace of Tenjin religion. When you look at the pond from the sky, it is shaped like a kanji called “heart”.
The first big bridge is “Taiko Bridge Male Bridge”. From the top of this bridge arch, you can see the two bridges and the main hall on your way. The pond and three bridges are regarded as the life of a person, and the “Taiko Bridge Male Bridge” is a bridge that represents the “past” that has lived up to now. It seems that the mind is cleansed as we cross the bridges, past, present, and future, in front of God.
By the way, this place where you can see Tokyo Sky Tree most is a shooting spot of a superb view. Don’t forget one of the memorials.
The second bridge is “Hirabashi Bridge”. This is said to be a bridge that represents “present”.
The third is “Taiko Bridge Feale Bridge”, which is smaller than the first, and a bridge representing “the future.” The lantern in front of the bridge is “Kotoji lantern”. It looks like this because it resembles Kotoji, which supports the strings of a “koto” (a long Japanese zither). “Kotoji lantern” is also in the “Kenrokuen Garden” in Kanazawa city, Ishikawa Prefecture, and is a shooting spot for the garden. Kameido Tenjin Shrine’s lantern is bigger than Kenrokuen Garden’s. The “Taiko Bridge” and the “Kotoji Lantern” that appear on the surface of the water are quite picturesque scenes.
There is a bronze statue of Sugawara Michizane at an early age near the main shrine. Sugawara Michizane already had a good waka (Japanese poem) from early childhood.
As a scholar or literary person, he is a person who has a great talent. Besides, there are many worshipers who pray for academic achievement.

Many prep students dedicate Ema in quest of the divine protection of Michizane

“Kameido Tenjin Shrine” has worshiped SUGAWARA no Michizane, which is popular as an academic god. It was built to imitate the Dazaifu Temmangu Shrine, ranging from topographies, shrines, towers, corridors, to ponds and bridges in architecture and precincts. Although it was called “Azuma no Dazaifu Tenmangu” (Eastern Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine), it became the present name in 1964. In order that many prep students may dedicate Ema (a votive horse tablet) in quest of the divine protection of Michizane, it visits during the weekend of a taking-an-examination season. Moreover, the divine work, which is related to flowers every season, such as the flower of a plum or wisteria in spring, and as a flower of a chrysanthemum in autumn is performed.

The flower of wisteria shines with lighting is fantastic and must-see

“Kameido Tenjin Shrine” famous as a shrine where wisteria flowers are beautiful. The “Wisteria Flower Festival” is also held from April to May every year, and it is the wisteria’s most famous place in Tokyo, which is crowded with many viewers.
A recommended time zone to visit such spring Kameido Tenjin is night. The flower of wisteria which shines with lighting is fantastic and must-see.

Hiroshige UTAGAWA having drawn wisteria flowers of Kameido Tenjin Shrine

This place is known for its beauty of wisteria for a long time, and is famous for Hiroshige UTAGAWA having drawn wisteria flowers of Kameido Tenjin Shrine on “Meisho Edo Hyakkei” (One hundred good scenery in Edo) in the Edo era. Even today it is familiar as a famous attraction of Wisteria where wisteria of over 100 trees bloom in the precincts.

Different from the daytime with a different taste

“Lighting up of Wisteria” will be held from sunset to 0 o’clock during the “Wisteria Flower Festival”. The wisteria which was exposed to sunshine in the daytime is also beautiful, but the wisteria flower which emerges in the dark night is also fantastic and graceful. It is different from the daytime with a different taste, and those who visit are fascinated.

“Wistaria’s landmark in Tokyo”

Wisteria flowers blooming like a falling waterfall are surprisingly powerful when looking up from directly below. The purple shower that fills the night sky, produced by a scale suitable for “Wistaria’s landmark in Tokyo”, falls over the head of the viewer with unrealistic beauty.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)