Irugi Shrine: where cartoon characters come to hide

Temples and shrines in Japan are usually fairly normal but every now and then, you will come across some more unusual ones, like the Irugi Shrine, located on a hill a few minutes of walk away from the Osaki Station in Tokyo’s Shinagawa ward.

Here is a dense and quiet residential neighborhood but when you arrive at the shrine, it feels like a very secluded and isolated place surrounded with many old, tall trees.

Before we enter the precincts and see why this shrine is so unique, let’s look at something at the entrance that’s located up the stone staircase.

In front of the torii gate, right on the left, there is a fujizuka mound that is said to have been built in 1933 (learn what is a fujizuka in this article).

Interestingly, this area around the shrine is also an archeological site. With the excavations and development of the residential land, they discovered stone tools, earthenware and dwelling sites from the early Jomon period (from about 6000 to 5000 years ago), indicating that people have lived here since ancient times.

Inside the precincts, right in front of us is the main shrine. The building looks fairly new — that is because the original shrine was destroyed in the bombing of Tokyo in 1945, and a new one was rebuilt in 1978.

The original age of this shrine is unknown but it is believed to pre-date the Edo period, making it at least a few centuries old. Originally, it was at a different location along the Meguro River but was later relocated to avoid flooding.

Opposite of the main shrine, we can see a structure with…

… light bulbs?? Yes, these are light bulbs but not for lighting up after dark or some scientific experiment, but for use inside the paper lanterns that are hanged here during events and festivals.

In front of the shrine’s shop, there is a stone object named “Evidence of Growth”. This shrine is also known for the shichigosan — a traditional rite of passage and custom celebrated for good health and well-being of children of ages seven, five and three (thus the name “shichi-go-san”, meaning seven-five-three). Children can stand on this stone to show their growth while parents take a commemorative photo.

And now, since this wasn’t unusual enough, let’s look at something else…

… Mickey Mouse – made of stone!

Next to it, a cat carrying a racoon!

A dachshund, and Ninomiya Sontoku.

Doraemon is lurking here, too.

Another Doraemon and Pikachu relaxing in the shade of a tree.

It wouldn’t be complete without a monkey.

And a bench, held by a bear and a panda.

As mentioned before, this shrine is popular for its schichigosan festival where many children come to visit and as such, they decided to place various fun characters made of stone around the precincts. The shrine has connection with a company that makes gravestones, and the remaining material is used to make these statues.

Irugi Shrine — also famous for its cherry blossoms in Spring — has been selected as one of the “100 best views of Shinagawa”.