Often missed, due to its proximity to the renown Gotokuji Temple (the famed Cat Temple), Setagaya Hachiman Shrine is located practically next door in a residential area and is one of my favourite local shrines in the Tokyo area. Dating back to the Heian Period, specifically the fifth year of Kannji (1091), Setagaya Hachiman Shrine land was reportedly discovered when Minamoto no Yoshiie (a Daimyo) had to stay in Setagaya are for ten days due to the heavy rain preventing him from returning to the Oshu Province (modern day Tohoku region).

During his stay Yoshiie performed a ceremony for the deity Hachiman (god of archery and war) of Usa Shrine (located in Oita Prefecture - one of the most important Shinto Shrines and the head Hachiman shrine but more on that later) and instructed the villagers to worship the deity as the guardian god of the area and build a shrine in honour of the god.

During the Meiji Period, the Shrine was once known as Gosha Usa Shrine, however it returned to it’s original namesake after the war. Today the locals now enthusiastically view Setagaya Hachiman Shrine as a guardian shrine for Setagaya Area.

ACCESS

BY TRAIN

SHINJUKU STATION (ODAKYU LINE) - GOTOKUJI STATION

SANGENJAYA STATION (SETAGAYA LINE) - MIYANOSAKA STATION

WEBSITE: SETAGAYA HACHIMAN SHRINE