Shinjuku General Shrine

The ancient forests and the god of talent blooming in the city

Get out of the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku Station and step into a corner of Nishi-Shinjuku, where skyscrapers are erect, and you'll find a tranquil space that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city. This is Kumano Shrine, which continues to protect the area as the general shrine of Shinjuku, and is the former 12 Kakuhatsu shrines.

Shinjuku Station, boasts the largest number of passengers in Japan, has developed as a key transportation hub. During the Edo period, the place name "Shinjuku" was born, which was bustling as a post town on the Koshu Kaido road and which means a new post town. Nishi-Shinjuku, which is currently lined with Tokyo Metropolitan Government and skyscrapers, was once a idyllic rural area known as Kakuhaku Village.

It is difficult to imagine from the modern era that a mysterious forest once existed in the unimaginable land of Nishi-Shinjuku. However, you can certainly feel the remnants of this when you walk around Shinjuku Central Park. Large trees, which are thought to be hundreds of years old, still spread their branches, quietly speaking to the memories of the former forest.

Kumano Shrine, adjacent to Shinjuku Central Park, is located in a corner of the forest on the corner of the horn. Surrounded by lush trees, the grounds are surrounded by silence that will make you forget the hustle and bustle of the city, and gently welcome visitors.

The 100 Famous Edo Landscapes, painted by Ando Hiroshige, an artist from the Edo period, depicts the image of the "Twelve Shrine Ponds" that once existed beside the shrine. The two ponds, large and small, and the "Twelve Shrine Falls" that flow from them made Kumano Shrine known as one of Edo's most scenic spots. Even on a hot midsummer day, when you enter the forest on the Kakuto, it was so cool that it felt cold, and it was bustling with people cooling off by the pond and visitors to the tea house.

However, as time went by, the beautiful scenery disappeared. The final reclamation took place in 1968, and the ponds of the twelve shrines completely disappeared. Their old memories live only in the memories of the trees and in the memories of people.

Still, Kumano Shrine continues to attract people's faith as the general guardian of Shinjuku. The sight of him standing quietly in a corner of the city gives the impression of a time-traveling illusion.

As you step into the grounds, you can see the air is clear. There is a special space completely blocked from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, as if a barrier was laid.

Kakuhashi Kumano Twelve Shrines - The Weight of History and Faith

The Twelve Kakuhada Kumano shrines have become widely known as entertainment venues since the eighth shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, visited the shrine during the Edo period. As the Meiji period began, tea shops and Japanese restaurants were built one after another, making it even more popular as a scenic spot.

The two large and small "Ponds of Twelve Shrines" and the "Twelve Shrines of Twelve Shrines" that flow from there fascinated visitors, and their beauty was recorded by many artists and writers. Kakuhatsu Forest is blessed with rich nature that you wouldn't expect from a city center, and it was said that "even on hot summer days, you will feel cold while you are in this forest." On the banks of the pond, many people visited to cool off in search of cool, and the tea house was very busy.

However, the waves of the times certainly surged, and as urban development progressed, the forests of the Kakuto and the ponds of the twelve shrines gradually disappeared. In 1968, the pond was completely wiped out with the final reclamation, with almost no trace of its former appearance remaining.

Still, the Kakuhada Kumano Twelve Shrines are still worshiped by many people today as the general guardian of Shinjuku. With memories of the lost landscape in their hearts, people quietly pray and visit this shrine in search of peace of mind.

A proof of history that decorates the grounds

When you step into the temple grounds, the first thing that catches your eye is the "Twelve Shrines Monument." This monument was erected in March 1851 to convey to future generations that twelve ponds were once a scenic spot on the western outskirts of Edo, where ponds and waterfalls were located. The monument is engraved with words honouring the people's attachment to the twelve shrines of the time, as well as the beauty of the landscape.

As I read the inscription, I began to imagine the bustling of the ponds of the twelve former shrines and the smiles of the people gathering there. This monument is a precious presence that allows you to remember the lost landscape and feel the weight of history.

As you proceed to the deeper part of the temple grounds, you will find yourself surrounded by silence that is like a different world. Just as the hustle and bustle of Shinjuku is a lie, a calm atmosphere flows and your heart is at ease. The grounds are well-cleaned and the beautiful greenery is celebrated by the well-maintained trees.

The shrine building has an air of dignity and gives a sense of dignity as the general guardian of Shinjuku. The worshippers continue to visit one after another, quietly clasping their hands and offering prayers with their wishes.

The charm of Kumano Shrine, the god of talent blossoming

Kumano Shrine is not just a historic shrine, but is also known as a shrine that will blossom into its talent. For those who are doing creative work, engaged in creative activities, or those who are looking to do creative work in the future, Kumano Shrine is truly the best shrine.

The gods enshrined at Kumano Shrine are gods who govern wisdom and talent, and are said to be able to increase their creativity and bring out their potential by worshiping them. In particular, there is a strong faith from people involved in the arts and entertainment industry, and many creators visit this shrine in hoping for success.

The temple grounds also enshrined in the shrines. Benzaiten is known as the god of music, entertainment and wealth, and is gaining faith from people who wish to blossom their talents. Otori Sansha is known as the gods of prosperity in business and good fortune, and is gaining faith from people who wish for success in their businesses.

Kumano Shrine, which worships these gods, can be said to be a power spot for the blossoming of talent. If you want to increase your creativity, unleash your potential, or grasp success, please come visit Kumano Shrine.

Connection to Shinjuku Central Park, an ancient forest that lives in Shinjuku

When talking about the charm of Kumano Shrine, we must not forget the existence of the adjacent Shinjuku Central Park. Shinjuku Central Park is part of the former Kakuhatsu Forest and has been deeply involved with Kumano Shrine.

Many large trees, several hundred years old, remain in the park, conveying the image of the former forest to this day. These large trees not only make you forget about the hustle and bustle of the city, but also give you a sense of the strength of nature.

As I walk around the park, I feel the illusion that I have traveled back in time. I wonder how rich nature was the former Kakuto Forest? I wonder how beautiful the twelve ponds boasted.

Shinjuku Central Park is a must-have spot for you when visiting Kumano Shrine. By strolling around the park, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Kumano Shrine.

City oasis and relaxing space

Kumano Shrine is a relaxing space, quietly located in a corner of the city. It is a place where you can quietly face yourself, away from the hustle and bustle, and also a place where you can relieve and refresh your daily stress.

As you step into the temple grounds, a refreshing air engulfs your body, feeling like your mind is being washed. The greenery of the trees, the chirping of birds, the sound of the wind, everything is pleasant and soothing to the body.

Kumano Shrine is an irreplaceable presence for us living in the city. As you live your busy days, having time to stop, get in touch with nature, and calm your mind is extremely important in maintaining your physical and mental health.

Kumano Shrine is a place that gives you such a time, and will continue to be loved by many people in the future as an oasis in the city.

Summary Visiting Shinjuku Soujin Shrine

Kumano Shrine, the main shrine of Shinjuku, is an attractive shrine that is woven together with history, culture, nature and faith. When you visit Shinjuku, I hope you will come and experience its charm.

With the memories of the former forests of the horns and the ponds of the twelve shrines in your heart, pray quietly and give the God of Blooming the Talents to give you strength. Take a stroll around Shinjuku Central Park, feel the strength of nature, forget about the hustle and bustle of the city, and spend a relaxing time.

Shokey Hayashi

Exorcist/Radionics Technique Researcher

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Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1965, he has been suffering from troubles, illnesses and injuries caused by spiritual phenomena since childhood. However, one day, when he was 20 years old, he attended an event, had a mysterious experience at the venue, and was hit by lightning energy from the heavens, as if piercing the spinal cord from his brain, and his psychic abilities blossomed. He then began studying psychology and psychiatry, and now he has combined psychiatry and consciousness engineering. Established "Radionics exorcism" using our own radionics techniques. "It's possible to treat your fortune" beyond exorcism, memorial service, and healing.