By ando 
Basic Information
Name: Moto Akagi Jinja (Moto Akagi Shrine)
Location: 567 Waseda-Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Enshrined Kami: Iwatsutsu-no-O-no-Mikoto
Access: Approximately a 5-minute walk from Waseda Station on the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, or a 10-minute walk from Edogawabashi Station on the Yurakucho Line.
Kagurazaka’s “Stylish Shrine” Has an Unsung Origin Story
Akagi Jinja in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-ku, is renowned as “Japan’s most stylish shrine,” featuring modern shrine buildings designed by architect Kengo Kuma and an attached cafe. However, not many people know where Akagi Jinja was originally located, or how it came to be in its current spot. The very “place of its beginning” is Moto Akagi Jinja in Waseda-Tsurumaki-cho, which we introduce here.
Legend and History: A Clan’s “Homeland Sentiments” from Gunma
The history of Moto Akagi Jinja dates back to Shoan 2 (1300) during the Kamakura period. At that time, Ogo Hikotaro Shigeharu, a powerful clan leader whose base was at the foot of Mount Akagi in Kozuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture), moved to the Ushigome area.
He invited the kami of Mount Akagi, his homeland, to this new location (a process called kanjo, where a divided spirit of a kami is transferred) and enshrined it. This marked the beginning of the shrine. In essence, this was the first step in establishing a sacred site for Akagi worship in Edo.
Mystery and Backstory: Why Did It Remain as “Moto” (Original)?
After that, the shrine followed an unusual fate.
1. In 1460: Ota Dokan, famous for building Edo Castle, respected the shrine’s divine power and relocated it to Ushigome-dai (near present-day Yamabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku).
2. In 1555: The Ushigome clan, successors to the Ogo clan, moved it further to its current location in Kagurazaka (Akagi Motomachi).
Normally, when a shrine is relocated, its original site falls into disuse. However, here there was a strong will from the local residents, which could almost be called a “mystery.” Even after the main deity was moved, the people of this land continued to protect it, building a small miniature shrine (hoko) because they believed, “This is the sacred place where the kami first descended.” This is why it remains as Moto Akagi Jinja today. In contrast to the vibrant Akagi Jinja in Kagurazaka, this quietly standing place in a residential area strongly retains the “memory of the land” that spans over 700 years.
As a Sacred Site for Anime and Drama Pilgrimages
While Moto Akagi Jinja itself rarely appears as a main location in works, its main counterpart, Akagi Jinja in Kagurazaka, has been the setting for numerous anime and drama series.
– The Idolmaster Million Live!: It is said to be one of the models for a shrine appearing in the series, making it a sacred site for “Producers” (fans).
– Monogatari Series: Akagi Jinja is sometimes mentioned among fans as one of the models for the atmosphere and location of the “Kitashiraha Jinja” that appears in the series.
– Boku to Shippo to Kagurazaka (My Veterinarian in Kagurazaka): Akagi Jinja in Kagurazaka also served as an important filming location for this drama starring Masaki Aiba.
Among dedicated “seichi junrei” (sacred site pilgrimage) enthusiasts, it is considered an “insider’s” way to enjoy the pilgrimage by visiting Akagi Jinja in Kagurazaka, and then extending their trip to Moto Akagi Jinja, its “origin,” to appreciate the deep history behind the works.
A Little-Known Power Spot
Moto Akagi Jinja is situated in a quiet location, just one street removed from a main thoroughfare. The shrine grounds are not vast, but a serene and dignified atmosphere, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Kagurazaka, flows through it. As a place that presides over “the beginning of things,” visiting here when you want to start something new or return to your own origins might just bestow you with mysterious power. Precisely because one knows the splendor of Kagurazaka, the tranquility of this “original” site is sure to resonate deeply.
Related Links and References
[1] https://edo.amebaownd.com/posts/3352502/ 【Ushigome 1-024】Ushigome Akagi Motomachi | Edo Town Tour
[2] https://sanpo-nikki.com/shrine/motoakagijinja/ Moto Akagi Jinja (Waseda Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku) | Walk Diary
[3] https://tesshow.jp/shinjuku/shrineakagiakagi.html Akagi Jinja | Shrine in Akagi Motomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Ushigome General Guardian
[4] https://yokoso-shinjuku.com/latest-post/akagi-shrine/ Kagurazaka’s Power Spot “Akagi Jinja” | Benefits, History, and Charm of Kengo Kuma’s Design?
[5] https://www.kanko-shinjuku.jp/spot/-/article_346.html Akagi Jinja | Shinjuku Convention & Visitors Bureau
[6] http://www.tokyo-jinjacho.or.jp/shinjuku/1131/ Akagi Jinja (Akagi-san) – Tokyo Jinjacho
[7] https://tesshow.jp/shinjuku/shrinewasedamotoakagi.html Moto Akagi Jinja | Shrine in Waseda Tsurumaki-cho, Shinjuku-ku