120 ~ Seiun Inari Jinja (Fox Carvings)

 

Japanese Name:  青雲稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Seiun Inari Jinja
English Translation: Blue Sky Inari Shrine
Size: Small
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4 (2 carvings)
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Address: 1 Chome-2-7 Higashioi, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 140-0011

Again, only two blocks further on, there's another fox shrine. This one features a nice carving of two foxes above the altar, along with the pair of life-sized stone foxes sitting watch in front of the shrine building. Visible in the background and in fact located directly behind the shrine is the viaduct carrying the tracks of the Keikyu Main Line.
 

119 ~ Saiwai Inari Jinja

 

Japanese Name:  幸稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Saiwai Inari Jinja
English Translation: Happiness Inari Shrine
Size: Small
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Address: 3 Chome-3-3 Minamishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tōkyō-to 140-0004

A small fox shrine jammed in a small plot of land. It's bright red corner makes it impossible to miss even at a distance, which is how I noticed it while walking down a perpendicular road. Two live-sized stone foxes stand watch at the Torii outside, and another two can be found inside the Shrine.

118 ~ Inari Daimyoujin (Pilgrimage Route Map)

 

Japanese Name:  稲荷大明神
Romanized Reading: Inari Daimyoujin
English Translation: Inari Great Radiant Deity
Size: Small Side Shrine of Hounsenji
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 2
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Address: 3 Chome-5-17 Minamishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tōkyō-to 140-0004

A small side shrine of Hounsenji (品川寺  "Goods River Temple"). Note how the temple is written with the exact same Kanji for "Shinagawa", and yet is pronounced differently. That's just how the Japanese language works, I'm afraid. The reason for that is actually quite simple: For the longest time, Japan had no system of writing, and when it finally got one, different people all over the country just assigned Kanji to words and place names which they figured conveyed their meaning best. As a result, Japanese today has this garble of a language where a single Kanji can be pronounced in up to ten ways.

Anyway, foxes. There's only two foxes in here, and they are hidden behind the offerings, so just their tails and hindquarters peek out. You can still tell they are depicted in mid-bound though.

Also, remember how I told you that I ended up on a pilgrimage route? Well, here's how I can tell. Specifically, this is the Toukai Shichifukijin (東海七福神 "East Sea Seven Lucky Gods"), and it goes at the very least to Oomori (大森 "Great Forest"), and possibly beyond. Note that the facing of the map is towards the west, because in Japan public billboard maps are always mounted in such a way that the direction in which you're facing while looking at it is up. It takes some getting used to, but it is actually quite convenient. Anyway, looks like I luckily struck cultural gold here! Yay! =^,^=

117 ~ Chanoki Inarisha

 

Japanese Name:  茶ノ木稲荷社
Romanized Reading: Chanoki Inarisha
English Translation: Tea Tree Inari Shrine
Size: Small Side Shrine of Suwa Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 5
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Address: 2 Chome-7-7 Minamishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tōkyō-to 140-0004

A little foxy side shrine of Suwa Jinja (諏訪神社 "Consulting Visit Shrine"), which is in turn located on what I now realize is an old pilgrimage route, thus explaining the abundance of shrines and temples in this area in general, and along this very road in particular. A pair of life-sized stone foxes sits watch in front, and another two tiny stone foxes are inside, along with a Taiko drum. Also, the right one of the stone foxes outside features a kit, thus bringing the vixen side count to 6:23.

116 ~ Choutokuji Side Shrine (Turnaround Shrine)

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Choutokuji
Deity: Inari?
Fox Count: 2
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Address: 2 Chome-8-16 Minamishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tōkyō-to 140-0004

A foxy side shrine of Choutokuji (長徳寺 "Superior Virtue Temple"), which I also kindly remember as "Turnaround Shrine" for a simple reason: It is located in a little alcove to the left of the temple ground gate, so I didn't actually see it upon coming in, but only when I turned around and was about to leave. I suppose that means that if I were to name this one, it would be Gyakuten Inarisha (逆転稲荷社 "Turnaround Inari Shrine"). A pair of life-sized stone foxes watches over this one.
 

115 ~ Mitake Inari Jinja (Fox Territory)

 

Japanese Name:  御嶽稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Mitake Inari Jinja
English Translation: Honorable Peak Inari Shrine
Size: Small
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 3.5
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Coordinates: 35.6143222,139.7435673

By now, it is starting to become clear that I have apparently wandered into fox shrine territory: Not only is almost every second shrine that I encounter a fox shrine, but the density is really high too, so I only have to walk a few hundred meters each time to get from one fox shrine to the next, sometimes even less.

Anyway, this little fox shrine faces a parking lot, and one of the foxes watching over this place is missing its entire upper half. There's also a fox to the right who features a kit, thus bringing the vixen side count to 6:22.
 

114 ~ Kashoku Inarisha (Hidden Foxes)

 

Japanese Name:  稼穡稲荷社
Romanized Reading: Kashoku Inarisha
English Translation: Planting and Harvesting Inari Shrine
Size: Small
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 8-14
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Coordinates: 35.6168803,139.7433525

A small fox shrine at the back of a big building that apparently houses the Shinagawa City Library among other things. In fact, this one is literally just across the street from the last shrine. No foxes stand watch outside, but there's a total of eight porcelain Byakko inside.Two of them are actually pretty big for porcelain Byakko, bigger than the size of a hand, while the others are more regular sized and harder to spot. I think there's also a pair of foxes engraved into the base of the inner shrine, but I'm not sure. How many foxes do you count?

(click picture to enlarge)

 

113 ~ Inari Jinja

 

Japanese Name:  稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Inari Jinja
English Translation: Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Ebara Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Coordinates: 35.6168803,139.7433525

One of a trio of side shrines of Ebara Jinja (荏原神社 "Bean Meadow Shrine"), and the only one to feature foxes... more or less. Strictly speaking, the first pair of foxes flanks the entrance of all three side shrines, while another pair sits directly in front of this shrine.

The shrines to the left and right are a tiny Hachimangu (八幡宮 "Hachiman Hall") to the left and an equally tiny Kumano Jinja (熊野神社 "Bear Field Shrine") to the right. Hachiman shrines are the second-most common type after Inari shrines, being dedicated to Hachiman, god of warriors. Kumano Shrines are a somewhat less common and are connected with the three great Kumano shrines on the Kii Peninsula that are considered some of the most sacred and significant Shinto sites in Japan.

112 ~ Shouno Inari Jinja

 

Japanese Name:  庄野稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Shouno Inari Jinja
English Translation: Village Field Inari Shrine
Size: Tiny Side Shrine of Yoriki Jinja
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Coordinates: 35.6182063,139.7457481

A tiny foxy side shrine of Yoriki Jinja (寄木神社 "Gathered Tree Shrine"). In addition to the pair of foxes flanking the shrine, there's also one unopposed fox right in front and to the right of the shrine who features a kit, thus bringing the vixen side count to 6:21.
 

111 ~ Shouwa Inari Daimyoujin

 

Japanese Name:  正和稲荷大明神
Romanized Reading: Shouwa Inari Daimyoujin
English Translation: Righteous Peace Inari Great Radiant Deity
Size: Medium
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 10
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Shinagawa
Address: 1 Chome-8-20 Higashishinagawa, Shinagawa City, Tokyo 140-0002, Japan

The first fox shrine that I should find in the district of Shinagawa. Shinagawa is kinda funny. The Shinagawa station is not actually in Shinagawa but slightly north of it, and the Station directly south of Shinagawa is called Kitashinagawa (北品川 "North Goods River"). Anyway, a total of ten foxes watch over this little shrine. Bright red Torii guide you to the shrine from far away, but in the end the Shrine itself is unexpectedly small.

110 ~ Takayama Inari Jinja

 

Japanese Name:  高山稲荷神社
Romanized Reading: Takayama Inari Jinja
English Translation: Tall Mountain Inari Shrine
Size: Medium
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 1
First Visit: 26-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Minato
Address: 4 Chome-10-23 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo 108-0074

The first fox shrine that I find on my long stray from Mita (三田 "Three Fields") to Anamori Inari in order to connect my two stray territories in Tokyo. Located just outside the busy Shinagawa-Eki (品川駅 "Goods River Station"). this one barely qualifies as a fox shrine, featuring only a single withered lone stone fox next to a Jizou, but a fox is a fox is a fox.
 

109 BRONZE ~ Hikan Inarisha

 

Japanese Name:  被官稲荷社
Romanized Reading: Hikan Inarisha
English Translation: Retainer Inari Shrine
Size: Small Side Shrine (of Asakusa Jinja)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: Many
First Visit: 20-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Taito
Address: 2 Chome-31-16 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032

A very foxy side shrine of the big Asakusa Jinja (浅草神社 "Shallow Weed Shrine") that I come across on my stray to a Kemono meet at the nearby Hatch bar. As a result of that being in the evening, it is already late when I come by here. However, I can still see make out the fox box that earns this place a Bronze rank in my book. It's to dark for a proper photo of that though (and I don't want to use the flash at a shrine), so below is an image of said fox box from Google. Also one of the foxes on the right features a kit, thus bringing the vixen side count to 6:20.

 

108 ~ Omoenomori Inari Daimyoujin

 

Japanese Name:  思の森稲荷大明神
Romanized Reading: Omoenomori Inari Daimyoujin
English Translation: Forest of Thought Inari Great Radiant Deity
Size: Small Side Shrine (of Suwa Jinja)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 12
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 2 Chome-20-2 Kōraku, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0004

The first fox shrine after leaving Takozousu Inari behind, and also the final fox shrine that I should find on this long northern stray today. This one is a Side Shrine of Suwa Jinja ( 諏訪神社 "Consulting Visit Shrine"). Two elegant stone foxes sit watch in front of a little shrine building, inside of which a whole skulk of tiny foxes resides. Interestingly, the stone foxes outside also feature a little stone rabbit that seems to change position every day.

107 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 7

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Small Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 8
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

The final foxy side shrine of Takozousu Inari, located at the very back of the glade, at the top of a flight of stairs. The foxes standing guard at the foot of the stairs are quite withered, so it is only because I've seen similar statues at other shrines that I can tell that the one on the left was supposed to be holding a kit in her paws, thus bringing the vixen side count to 6:19. Inside of the small shrine, there's also a tiny golden statue, which may or may not depict Inari.

106 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 6

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 10
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

Further back into the fox glade, hidden in the shade of the trees, there's this tiny fox shrine. Two withered old stone foxes sit guard in front of it, and another eight tiny porcelain foxes have taken shelter around the shrine.

105 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 5

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 8
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

(Disclaimer: Exact location may be inaccurate) 

Past the Torii crossroad, there's a few more fox shrines in a little patch of forest in the middle of the city. This is the first of them. Two battered stone foxes stand watch on pedestals, another two sit in front of the shrine, on which three tiny porcelain foxes perch. A fourth porcelain fox has instead hidden in the nearby leaves.

104 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 4

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 2
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

If you take a right at the Torii crossroad, there's a small gap between the Torii, and if you look to the left at that point you'll see this tiny fox shrine. Only a single pair of stone foxes watch over this one. You could probably squeeze through the Torii there, but it's easier to just go the few steps out of the Torii tunnel and then turn left.

103 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 3

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

(Disclaimer: Exact location may be inaccurate)

A tiny little fox shrine which I think is located directly to the right of the last one, but I'm not 100% sure since it's already been 6 years and I can't see its relative location on any of my other photos. However, since I know that I got into the habit of taking these pictures in a logical sequence early on, and since I can confirm that the next shrine is a little bit further to the right, I assume that this one is in between those two. Either way, two little pairs of foxes stand watch over this one, the front one is made of stone and is just a bit bigger than the porcelain foxes behind the little Torii, which in turn is only a little taller than a bottle of sake.

102 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 2

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Small Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 3
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

If you go straight at the Torii crossroad, you end up at this fox shrine after two more Torii. This one features a little roof that you can stand under, so I'm gonna consider it a small shrine to set it apart from all the really tiny shrines around here. A trio of foxes watches over this one.

101 ~ Takozousu Inari Glade Side Shrine 1

 

Japanese Name:  ?
Romanized Reading: ?
English Translation: ?
Size: Tiny Side Shrine (of Takozousu Inari)
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 19-Apr-2018
Location: Tokyo-Bunkyo
Address: 3 Chome-17-12 Koishikawa, Bunkyō-ku, Tōkyō-to 112-0002 

The first shrine of the fox glade of Takozousu Inari, located on the left branch of the Torii crossroad, behind a single Torii. Two pairs of foxes watch over this one, one big and one small. The Kanji on the right pillar of the Torii denote the person who donated that Torii. Sometimes there's groups of persons or even companies written there, especially for the larger Torii.