⛩️ Anahachiman Shrine穴八幡宮

Anahachiman Shrine is said to enhance financial luck and bless prosperous business. According to the shrine's records, the famous Japanese general Minamoto no Yoshiie worshipped Hachiman Daio here and established this shrine in 1062. In 1641, locals discovered a horizontal cave while excavating at the foot of the mountain, which contained a bronze statue. As a result, the shrine was later named Anahachiman Shrine. The "Ichiyo Raifuku Omamori" of Anahachiman Shrine is very famous. It can only be obtained during the period from the winter solstice to the day before the beginning of spring each year. Legend has it that this amulet brings good fortune for business prosperity and financial gains. After obtaining the amulet, it should be affixed to a high place on the wall of the home. The method of affixing the amulet is quite particular; one must choose one of the days of the winter solstice, New Year's Eve, or the day before the beginning of spring, and affix the amulet at midnight 12:00 in the auspicious direction of that year. Every year, on Japan's national holiday "Sports Day" (the second Monday of October), a Yabusame ceremony is held at Anahachiman Shrine. This ceremony has now become a designated intangible folk cultural asset of Shinjuku Ward. The venue for the Yabusame is at the Tokyo Metropolitan Toyama Park.

Every year on the winter solstice, many people rush to the shrine from early morning to pray for the "Ichiyō Raifuku Omamori," which is believed to bring good fortune. Inside the shrine, there is a craft designated as a tangible cultural heritage of Shinjuku Ward, the "Hotei Statue Water Basin" (replica). Next to Anahachiman Shrine is the famous "Hōjō-ji" in Shinjuku Ward, which can be visited along the way.