About
As you walk through the residential streets of Nishitokyo City, a vividly vermillion grand torii gate suddenly appears before your eyes. Its striking color blends into the everyday scenery, yet still captivates the hearts of those who visit.
Passing through the torii, you are greeted by a pair of guardian fox statues sitting on either side of the stone steps. Their sharp gazes seem to watch over and guide worshippers. At the top of the steps, a vermillion shrine gate comes into view. Beyond it stands the worship hall, also painted vermillion, its beauty set off by the blue sky and green trees.
This shrine was founded in 1929 (Showa 4), when a divided spirit was invited from Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. The fervent wishes of Inari believers in the Kanto region bore fruit, and a new place of worship was born here in Higashifushimi. At the time of its founding, Seibu Railway provided about 7,000 tsubo (approximately 23,000 square meters) of land free of charge, and the station name was changed from "Kami-Hoya Station" to "Higashifushimi Station." It is evident that the presence of this shrine has deeply influenced the area's name and landscape.
After joining your hands in prayer at the worship hall, you proceed to a section behind it known as "Otsuka." Here, countless vermillion torii gates are lined up, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of an entrance to another world. Passing through the torii, you find various shrines and stone monuments of different sizes scattered about, each enshrining diverse divine virtues such as prosperity in business, matchmaking, and longevity. This "Otsuka" was modeled after Mount Inari at Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, and it is said that worshippers can receive even greater blessings by making a pilgrimage here.
Throughout the shrine grounds, statues of foxes—the symbol of Inari worship—are placed everywhere. Sometimes solemn, sometimes endearing, their presence soothes the hearts of visitors. In one corner of the grounds, a memorial monument quietly stands in honor of those who lost their lives at the Nakajima Aircraft Musashi Factory, evoking a sense of the weight of history.
Seasonal festivals are held with great enthusiasm, including the Hatsuumamatsuri in February, the main shrine festival in June, and the grand autumn festival in October, all of which draw crowds of local residents and worshippers. Especially during the Hatsuumamatsuri, the dedication of kagura dances and festival music resound throughout the grounds, allowing visitors to experience traditional Japanese culture firsthand.
Higashifushimi Inari Shrine, though located just a step away from the bustle of the city, offers deep peace and vitality to those who visit. Passing through the vermillion torii and making a pilgrimage through the mystical "Otsuka," one can heal the fatigue of daily life and gain the strength to take a new step forward.