Shitaya Jinja

Known as “the oldest Inari shrine in Tokyo,” it was built in 730. Susanoo no Mikoto’s son, Ootoshi no Kami is enshrined, who presides over five grains and guards industries. Thus, people worship him as the god of business success and protection of families. Since ancient times, the shrine had been revered as “Shoichii (Senior First Rank) Shitaya Inari,” it is said the name of the town became “Inari.” In 1872, the name was changed to “Shitaya Shrine.”

Shitaya Shrine Festival with over 1000-year history is famous and is called the “earliest summer festival in downtown.” With nearly 140 booths around the shrine, the festival gets lively. Since the first comedy was performed here in 1798, a stone monument stands on the premises that says “The Land Where Comedy Was Born.” Visitors love the flower Chozu (Water basin for purifying hands). Around the 1st day of the month, bright flowers in season are put into the basin to beautify it, though flowers may be gone from the middle to the end of the month. They have different shrine stamps each month. Bring your red stamp booklet when you visit.