Suga Shrine, Tokyo Yotsuya's General Guardian Shrine

Overview

Suga Shrine, located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, is famous as a filming location for the anime movie *Your Name*. The stairs where the protagonists ran up in the movie have become a sacred place for many fans. Climbing those stairs while recalling the movie scenes allows you to immerse yourself in the world of the film. Suga Shrine is also a historic shrine that gathered faith as the general guardian shrine of Yotsuya in the Edo period. Its history began in 1634 (Kan'ei 11) when an Inari Shrine in Akasaka was relocated to Yotsuya due to the construction of the Edo Castle outer moat. In 1637 (Kan'ei 14), Gozu Tenno (the Ox-Head God) was enshrined together, and it came to be called "Inariyama Hozoin Tenno-sha," "Inari Tenno Gosa," and "Yotsuya Gozu Tenno-sha." In the Edo period, it was revered as Tenno-sama (the God), and the precincts also housed honji-butsu (principal Buddhas), such as Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaishajyaguru) and Juichimen Kannon (Eleven-faced Kannon). With the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in 1868 (Meiji 1), Hozoin Temple was abolished, and the shrine took on its current name. Even today, the names of nearby places, such as Tenno-zaka (Tohokuin-zaka), Mikariya Yokocho (due to the existence of a temporary shrine), and Tenno Yokocho, evoke the former faith. Suga Shrine houses Thirty-six Poetic Geniuses paintings, designated as a tangible cultural property (painting) of Shinjuku Ward. This painting was produced and dedicated in 1836 (Tempo 7) by Ooka Unpo's painting and Chisada Yuki's calligraphy. Suga Shrine is a place where you can feel history and culture, but it is also a place where you can enjoy tranquility away from the hustle and bustle of the city. While visiting as a pilgrimage site for the movie is good, it is also recommended to spend time leisurely while learning about its history.