Jun 10, 2015 - 1 min read

Haneda's Anamori Inari Shrine

A tunnel of vermillion gates 5 minutes from the airport

By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

The shrine's original purpose was to protect the locals from floods.

Once surrounded by its own 'temple town', the shrine now sits in a quiet downtown neighborhood.

The shrine gets few visitors. I was lucky to see this kimono-clad follower on the day I was there.

Historically, people visit Inari shrines to pray for a good harvest and/or business prosperity.

The fox is a messenger of the Inari deity.

Children of the neighborhood often play in and around the torii 'tunnel'.

A pair of foxes flank the path leading to the main hall. This one, on the right, holds a fox cub below its paw.

Be sure to check out the many miniature foxes and torii sprinkled around the grounds of the shrine.

A lantern festival is held at the shrine every August.

The official website of the shrine: anamori.jp

Modeled after Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha, the oldest Inari shrine, Anamori Inari Jinja is also dedicated to the deity of rice cultivation. Originally built in 1818 on the site of what is now Haneda Airport, it was moved just after WWII. The present location is a short walk from Anamoriinari Station on the Keikyu Airport Line, just one stop from the airport by local train. Although the shrine is small in size, it does contain many characteristic vermilion torii (gates) and fox statues. It is a nice stop for those unable to visit a torii 'tunnel' elsewhere.

More info

Find out more about Anamori Inari Shrine.

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By Sandra Isaka

Community writer

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Sleiman Azizi 5 years ago

While it's no sin to visit the larger and more famous shrines in Japan, places like this one can offer pretty much the same experience, minus the crowds of course.