Meguro Ward's Otori Shrine

No big bird here, just a peaceful atmoshpere

Justin Velgus May 16, 2014 - 1 min read

The architecture can be more clearly seen to the left side of the main building.

One of the tori entrances to the shrine.

The area used to wash your hands is covered withmetal wire. I think cats or small animals roam around here at night.

Written wishes hanging next to the main hall.

A fox statue guards an Inari Shrine alongside the main shrine.

If you stand on the stairs of the Inari Shrine, you can see a cemetery next door.

This ancient tree is marked with a sacred rope, symbolizing its spiritual energy.

This board informs visitors what age groups this year attract negative energy. Of course, for a fee, you can remove this negative energy through various shrine services.

The main shrine hiding behind some shrubbery.

This modern electronic machine continues the age-old custom of fortune telling at a shrine. Put a coin in and find out if you have good or bad 'big' or 'small' luck today.

Otori Shrine is a shrine located in the Meguro ward of Tokyo. While it does have an interesting but complicated history involving an emperor taking a rest stop after quelling some eastern barbarians, a serious eye infection that is magically healed through the power of prayer, and some birds, you won't need to know that to enjoy the view.

If you are particularly inclined to, you can decipher the Japanese and learn more about the various festivals and purification services on the official website.

Although the name of the shrine is Otori (大鳥 'big bird') you won't find any of those here. The name is borrowed from historical documents and an ancestor's family crest design. You will, however, find attractive greenery in the city.

Finding the shrine is easy as it is on a corner of an intersection about a 10-15 minute walk from Meguro Station. You'll pass right by it on your way to the Meguro Parasitological Museum just minutes away.

Justin Velgus @justin.velgus

Justin Velgus (ジャスティンベルガス) is the Miyagi Prefecture expert for Japan Travel and a long-term contributor since 2012 with a focus on the Tohoku region. Justin has written extensively for JT, and other publications such as VisitMiyagi and Sake Today, amassing over 350 published articles...