Admission
- Adult (18+)Free
At a Glance
Suitengu Shrine in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district serves as a sacred place dedicated to safe childbirth and child-rearing, drawing expectant mothers who seek blessings for safe deliveries. The shrine features a modern building completed in 2016 that blends contemporary design with traditional Shinto worship spaces. Rooftop gardens provide a peaceful sanctuary above the bustling streets, offering visitors a place for prayer and reflection.
The shrine plays a continuous role in the lives of Tokyo families. Expectant mothers visit to pray for safe deliveries, while new parents return to express gratitude and pray for their children's health and growth. The worship spaces maintain traditional Shinto aesthetics and practices despite the modern exterior, creating a meaningful connection between contemporary Japanese life and enduring spiritual traditions. For visitors interested in experiencing living Shinto practice rather than merely observing historical structures, Suitengu offers a genuine glimpse into how these traditions continue to provide comfort and community in modern Japan.
The "Kodakara Inu" (child-treasure dog) statue was donated by Bridgestone founder Shojiro Ishibashi. Visitors rub their zodiac animal among the 12 signs surrounding the bronze mother dog for blessings of safe childbirth and healthy children.
The shrine sits on a 60cm-wide seismic isolation system that allows the entire building to shift horizontally during earthquakes, protecting worshippers while maintaining traditional shrine architecture above modern engineering.
The shrine inspired the Edo-era phrase "情けありまの水天宮" (compassionate Arima's Suitengu) because the lord opened his private estate shrine to commoners every 5th day of the month—a rare act of generosity that became a popular saying.
The Arima clan adopted the three-comma crest of Arima Shrine's deity Amenominakanushi after being rescued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, believing the god granted their fortune. Only the current clan head may wear this sacred symbol today.
Suitengumae Station
Ningyocho Station
Hamacho Station
Facilities
2 structures on the grounds
Built in traditional shrine architectural style with white wood as the base, incorporating decorative metalwork and carvings passed down through generations. Features modern seismic isolation technology.
Modern architecture that harmonizes with the shrine building through advanced design. Improved waiting room environment.
Chuo, Tokyo Prefecture
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