Kumano Shrine (Meguro-ku, Tokyo)

Located in the fashionable district of Jiyugaoka, Kumano Shrine has long been revered as the guardian deity of the area. Its origins trace back to the Kamakura period, when the "Kumano Pilgrimage" to the three grand shrines of Kumano (Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha, and Kumano Nachi Taisha in Wakayama) became popular among the common people. As records of pilgrimages were uncovered in Meguro, so came the legend that that shrine was established by enshrining the divided deities of the three Kumano shrines.

The shrine grounds sit beyond a narrow path hugged by boughs of green, lined with sacred trees like the keyaki (zelkova) and a large ginkgo. The peaceful atmosphere makes it easy to forget you're in the heart of the city, offering a perfect spot to recharge while shopping or strolling around town. The shrine is a popular destination for people of all ages, known as a power spot for love and a place for fulfilling various wishes. You can also find omikuji (fortune slips) and omamori (charms) related to these blessings. Be sure to look for the heart-shaped marks hidden around the bright red main hall.

The first Sunday of September (with a festival eve on the Saturday before) at the shrine marks the annual festival to pray for a bountiful harvest. The streets of Jiyugaoka go all alight with stalls as portable mikoshi shrines parade passed, along with traditional performances like the "Meguro Bayashi”, a local art designated as an intangible cultural heritage of Meguro Ward, and kagura (sacred dance) on the shrine grounds.