Namiyoke Inari Shrine, Tokyo

Namiyoke Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine located in Tsukiji, Tokyo. It was constructed on the waterfront during the development of this part of Tokyo, known as Edo at the time, following the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657. The shrine's name translates to "protection from waves."

Following the establishment of the Tsukiji fish market in its current location after the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, Namiyoke Inari Shrine became an unofficial guardian shrine for the market and its traders. The shrine's courtyard features various memorial plaques and carvings donated by trade groups in the market.

Throughout the shrine, you can find numerous tsuka, which are stone sculptures erected as tokens of appreciation for things of value to those working in the area. Notably, there's a famous tamagozuka egg sculpture located near the lioness' head. As you explore further, you'll come across more tsuka dedicated to various items, including sushi and shrimp.

Every three years in mid-June, a grand mikoshi portable shrine festival takes place, during which the two lion heads located at the shrine are paraded throughout Tsukiji. The brown lion head weighs an impressive one metric ton, while the red lioness head weighs 700 kilograms.

Namiyoke Inari Jinja embodies a sincere and straightforward expression of faith and gratitude. It appears that the gods listened to the pleas of the people many centuries ago, and to this day, the hardworking men and women of the area reciprocate in kind.