Ana Hachimangu Shrine is known for its prayers to ward off bugs and for its horseback archery displays.
The “Ichiyo Raigai”, distributed from the winter solstice, is a highly believed good luck charm to protect against gold and silver.
The Name of the shrine was changed from Takada Hachimangu Shrine to Ana Hachimangu Shrine because a hole in the ground appeared when the southern cliff was cut down to build a hermitage for the shrine guard.
Yabusame (horseback archery) was first held by the 8th Tokugawa Shogun Yoshimune to pray for the cure of his successor’s illness.
Since then, Yabusame has been held for the birth of the Shogun’s young son and to ward off bad luck.
The “Ichiyo Raiko Gomamori” is available only from the winter solstice to Setsubun every year.
How To Get To The Ana Hachimangu Shrine
2 minutes walk from Exit 3b of Waseda Station on Tozai Line.
Ana Hachimangu Shrine Information
| Name | Ana Hachimangu Shrine 穴八幡宮 |
|---|---|
| Fee | free |
| Address | 2-1-11 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo |
| Telephone | 03-3203-7212 |
Things To Do Near The Ana Hachimangu Shrine
- 300m – Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum: Aizu Yaichi, a poet, calligrapher, and scholar of oriental art, is commemorated in this museum.
- 400m – Dr. Tsubouchi Theatre Museum: Celebrates the completion of the translation of the complete works of Shakespeare by Dr. Shoyo Tsubouchi
- 500m – Mizuinari Shrine: There is a belief that if you touch the fox’s body before touching your own, it will ease the pain in your body.
