What other travelers are saying about Setagaya Hachimangu Shrine
This is a small temple with a peaceful and serene atmosphere, offering a sense of tranquility that's even more quiet and calm compared to the nearby Gotokuji Temple. The surroundings are simple yet charming, providing a perfect spot for those seeking a moment of calm.
However, one thing to keep in mind is that there are quite a few mosquitoes in the area. To make your visit more comfortable, it's advisable to bring along some mosquito repellent or spray to avoid any inconvenience during your time here.
We planned to visit the famous cat shrine today, but it was closed for a private ceremony. Probably a feline wedding or a memorial for a goldfish they once knocked off an altar. So, we pivoted here – and what a solid backup date this place turned out to be.
Walked through a giant red torii gate feeling like a discount samurai, then found a massive straw ring under the stone torii. Apparently, you’re supposed to walk through it in a specific figure-8 pattern to cleanse bad vibes. I just walked through it hoping to cleanse my credit card statement from last night’s izakaya bill.
The grounds are peaceful, with koi ponds full of chonky fish living their best life and a tiny waterfall gurgling away like it’s narrating an NHK nature documentary. There’s even a full sumo ring tucked away under the trees, where you can stand in the middle and pretend you’re Hakuho, if only for the thirty seconds before your knees start complaining.
Overall:
✔️ Zero crowds
✔️ Beautiful vermilion shrine architecture
✔️ Free spiritual cleansing (unconfirmed efficacy)
✔️ Koi giving you side-eye of judgment
Highly recommend if you’re in Setagaya and want to experience serenity with a side of sumo history. Bonus: it makes getting rejected by the cat shrine sting a little less.
A nice cozy shrine with almost no people nearby. It seemed to be related to sumo wrestling in some kind since there was a ring located inside the grounds.
this shrine was way less crowded than others in the area and i didn’t know why because it was quite beautiful! it is in a nice wooded area and was very lovely and relaxing to just sit and enjoy the weather. there was also a cool sumo wrestling ring from the Edo period which i also thought was very cool. if you are visiting the area, definitely stop by before you leave!
