Discover Good Luck at “Juban Inari Shrine” – Frog and Treasure Ship Statues Near Azabujuban Station”

“Juban Inari Shrine”(十番稲荷神社) is home to a large cherry blossom tree that blooms every spring. In May, visitors can also enjoy the various colors of hydrangeas grown by the Shinto priest. When you go under the Torii gate and climb the stairs, frogs with a sharp face on the right side and a stone statue of a treasure ship with careful workmanship on the left side welcome you. The shrine provides an amulet associated with the 2 statues, and it seems to bring good luck with warding off evil and prosperous business. The shrine is good access from Azabujuban Station within walking distance, so why not stop by there when you’re in the area?

“Juban Inari Shrine” is located in Azabujuban, Tokyo. It has an interesting history, as it is a result of the merger of two shrines – Suehiro Shrine (末広神社) and Takenaga Inari Shrine (竹長稲荷神社). Suehiro Shrine is related to the legend of Gamaike, one of the Seven Wonders of Azabu, while Takenaga Inari Shrine was a place of worship for visiting the Seven Lucky Gods of Azabu Inari before the war. The two shrines were merged and have reached the present day as Juban Inari Shrine.

The legend of Gamaike is a story about a large frog who, during a fire that ravaged the area in 1821, sprayed a large amount of water and extinguish the flames. It is said that people began to ask for amulets as a talisman for fire prevention and burns because the place that had the pond where the giant frog lived was saved from a fire. After the talisman was enshrined at the Suehiro Shrine, the predecessor of the Juban Inari Shrine, it became an object of worship for many people. Today, the Juban Inari Shrine continues to offer this talisman, which is associated with a legend. In addition to the talisman, the shrine also has statues of frogs that are beloved by the local community and known as ‘Kaeru-san’.

Furthermore, the shrine is also known as the ‘Shrine of the Treasure Ship’ because of the stone statue of a treasure ship located there. As one of the Minato Seven Lucky Gods, it holds a special place in local tradition. During the annual Minato Seven Lucky Gods Tour, the shrine attracts a large number of visitors who come to pray for good luck in the new year and for the safety of their families. The stone statues are elaborately made, and the expressions of the Seven Lucky Gods are very rich. Be sure to visit the stone statues that are enshrined on both the left and right sides of the shrine during your visit.