Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is known as “Tokyo’s Ise-sama” and is known for bringing happiness, good marriage, and good fortune to its visitors. It is famous as the first shrine to hold a Shinto wedding ceremony, and is a spot where people from all over Japan gather to hold a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony.
History of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
Since the Edo period (1603-1867), the “Oise pilgrimage” to the Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture has been something that everyone has longed to do at least once in their lives. However, it requires time, money, and physical strength. In 1880, the Tokyo Grand Jingu was established as Tokyo’s Ise Jingu. If you visit the Tokyo Grand Shrine, you will receive the same benefits as if you had visited the Ise Shrine.
When the shrine was founded, it was called “Hibiya Daijingu” because it was located in Hibiya, not in its present location. 1928, the Great Kanto Earthquake destroyed the shrine building, which was rebuilt in its present location and called “Iidabashi Daijingu”. After the war, the name of the shrine was changed to “Tokyo Daijingu” (Tokyo Grand Shrine).
An old map from the Meiji era (citation: https://map.goo.ne.jp/history/) shows the characters for “Daijingu” near Hibiya Park.
Sights to see of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
Compact precincts
Most of the shrines that are well-known as tourist attractions in Japan are large, spacious places with expansive grounds. On the other hand, the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is characterized by its compact precincts, where you can casually drop in during a break from sightseeing. After passing through the torii gate and proceeding along the approach, you will see the shrine pavilion, the symbol of the shrine. The center of the approach is said to be the place where the gods pass through, so avoid passing through the center of the approach with impunity.
On the right side of the hall of worship, there is a sacred tree over 100 years old, which is noted as a purification area where one can feel the energy. The shade of the trees and the murmuring of the river make this a calming place. This is a must visit area when visiting in the summer. There is also a space in the temple grounds where you can take a break after exploring the grounds.
Prayer for prosperous business
Iitomi Inari Shrine is located on the right side of the shrine gate. Inari is known as the god of business and prosperity. The shrine is also known as a god of the performing arts, as Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX was a devout follower.
The Beginning of the Shinto Wedding Ceremony
In the 33rd year of Meiji, the wedding ceremony of Emperor Taisho (then Crown Prince) and his wife was held at a shrine in the Imperial Palace. Until then, weddings had generally been held at home as an event to connect the family, so the solemn wedding ceremony in front of a Shinto shrine, where the couple made vows to the gods of Shintoism, became a source of admiration. The following year, in 1901, the Tokyo Grand Shrine, then known as the Hibiya Daimyojin, offered weddings to the general public in a Shinto ceremony that inherited the ancient traditions and beauty of Japan, and the Shinto wedding ceremony became the standard for weddings in Japan.
Prayer for marriage
The Tokyo Daijingu Shrine is visited by many people, especially women, who wish for love fulfillment, good marriages, and various other types of marriage. Visitors can bring luck to their love lives and to good marriages with amulets, love fortunes, and ema (votive picture tablet).
For those who wish to further strengthen the power of matchmaking, look for a heart-shaped pattern on the temple grounds called “inome” (boar’s eye). The eyes of the boar have been used to ward off evil since ancient times, and it is rumored that looking at or touching them will strengthen the power of matchmaking. The eyes of the boar can be found throughout the shrine grounds, including the door of the shrine gate and the lantern in front of the hall of worship.
Access to Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
2-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo
TEL : +81-3-3262-3566
Parking around Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
Tokyo Daijingu Shrine Official Website
official site：http://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/index.html