Welcome to Shirasasa Inari Jinja.
Inari Jinja protects food and rejuvenates the spirit.
A water shrine where clear spring water wells up in Hadano, at the foot of the Tanzawa Mountains.
Announcements
January 17, 2025 (Update)
Notification of Hatsuuma Taisai on Thursday, February 6, 2025 (Reiwa 7)
On the day of the event, surrounding roads will be extremely crowded due to traffic regulations.
Parking is limited, so please use public transportation when visiting.
※ Details will be updated regularly.
History/Annual Events
Enshrined Deities and Their Divine Virtues
Uka-no-Mitama no Mikoto
God of food, wealth, and good fortune, bringing good luck and fortune
Blessings: Abundant harvests, prosperous business, academic success, improvement in skills, satisfaction in land, industrial growth, protection from direction and fire.
Uka-no-Mitama no Mikoto governs bountiful harvests and food. Known affectionately as "Oinari-san," this deity is among the most familiar to Japanese people.
Omiya-me no Mikoto
God of food and prosperous markets
Blessings: Agricultural protection, healing of illnesses, household safety, family harmony, warding off evil, and good fortune.
Sarutahiko no Mikoto
God of good fortune, business development, and pathfinding
Blessings: Traffic safety, bountiful harvests, construction safety.
Origin of Shirasasa Inari Jinja
The exact date of the jinja’s founding remains unclear. However, the ancient paddy-farming people indigenous to this region revered the essential water source required for rice cultivation. This source was vital for their food, clothing, and shelter – the foundation of human survival. They deeply worshipped “Uka-no-Mitama,” the spirit of rice and grain, venerating it as the “God of Food Preservation” and the “God of Production.” This veneration led to the establishment of a small shrine dedicated to Shirashino Inari, which is the predecessor of the current Shirasasa Inari Jinja.
Hadano is historically linked to the Hata clan, an influential Yamato clan. According to the “Fudoki", record of Local Customs and Products, the Hata clan spread the Inari faith, beginning with Hata-no-Kimi who enshrined “Inari” in Yamashiro Province.
The “Shinpen Sagami Fudoki,” compiled in 1841, mentions, “The Inari Jinja is called Shirasusa Inari. The deity enshrined is Ao Inadama no Mikoto. The regular festivals are held on the first horse day of February and on June 28th. The shrine includes a Prayer Hall and a sacred pine tree.” The text also mentions auxiliary jinja like Myoo Gongen and Koyasu Myojin.
Historical offerings from the early Edo period remain, indicating the strong faith of the local populace. During the mid-Edo period, the divine seal of Shoichii was re-enshrined, and the shrine swiftly became independent as a household deity. The shrine also conducted regular sermons and, over time, it became a center for literary and artistic activities. This legacy, supported by the faith of its worshipers, continues to the present day.
Hatsuuma Taisai
Historically, Hatsuuma (the first day of the Horse in the old lunar calendar) has been a time to pray for a good harvest, held during the season when rice planting begins (in the old lunar month of February, which corresponds to March in the modern calendar).
Our Hatsuuma Taisai, a beloved tradition, signals the arrival of spring in the Kanto region, and it is attended by many worshippers each year.
Spring Water at Shirasasa Inari Jinja
Since ancient times, our country has been known as the ""Land of Abundant Rice Plants,"" a nation of agriculture and rice cultivation. Inari, originally the deity of rice and grains, signifies the importance of water sources essential for crop growth.
Located in Imaizumi, Hadano City, Serizawa Koaza Ikkanda, this shrine is blessed with a rich water source providing 5,000 tons of water per day. The presence of natural spring water within the shrine grounds further emphasizes its refreshing and suitable location for enshrinement."
Inari Jinja and the Fox
The deity known affectionately as 'Oinari-san' is Inari Okami, whose formal name is Uka-no-Mitama no Mikoto, the god of rice cultivation and agriculture. As a deity overseeing food, Inari Okami protects all aspects of human life, including food, clothing, and shelter. This deity bestows various blessings, such as household safety, business prosperity, protection from fire and theft, disaster prevention, warding off evil and traffic safety.
Many people associate Inari Jinja with foxes, but the foxes are actually messengers of the gods, not deities themselves. Historically, it was believed that the 'Mountain God' would descend to the village in spring, transforming into the 'Rice Field God' to protect the growth of rice. After the harvest in autumn, the god would return to the mountains, becoming the 'Mountain God' again. Foxes, appearing at the same time as the 'Mountain God' and 'Rice Field God,' came to be regarded as divine messengers of the gods of rice fields and rice cultivation.
Ceiling Painting of the Prayer Hall
This ceiling painting, created over seven years by Yoshio Goto, a leading expert in Japanese Kabuki paintings (Special Selection at the Inten Exhibition), is a masterpiece of divine devotion. The 150 panels on the coffered ceiling feature the Dragon God, the Four Gods of Feng Shui, and a treasury of treasures, all rendered with a sacred sincerity.
East Subordinate Jinja (Higashi matsu sha)
The East Subordinate Jinja(Higashi matsu sha), dedicated to the spirits of plants and trees, has recently gained recognition as a power spot, attracting a unique following.
One of the seven kami of good fortune - Jurojin
Jurojin, enshrined in the "Minami Hadano Village Seven Lucky Gods Tour", is the god who bestows longevity, wealth, honor, and recovery from illness. He protects people's peace and health.
Golden Spring (Hikarimo)
Hikarimo is a rare algae that glows golden when exposed to light and appears for a certain period of time. Please take a look, as it is believed to bring good fortune with money.
map of the Jinja Precincts
Annual Events at Shirasasa Inari Jinja
- New Year's Festival
- January 1
- Safety Prayer for the New Year
- Throughout January
- Annual Grand Festival (Hatsuuma)
- First Hatsuuma day in February
- Second Hatsuuma Festival
- Second Hatsuuma day in February
- Third Hatsuuma Festival
- Third Hatsuuma day in February
- National Foundation Festival
- February 11
- Prayer Festival
- February 17
- Spring Equinox Ancestor Festival
- Spring Equinox Day in March
- Great Summer Purification
- June 30
- Tanabata Festival
- July 7
- Autumn Equinox Ancestor Festival
- Autumn Equinox Day in September
- Kanname-sai
- October 17
- Shichigosan Festival
- Throughout November
- Harvest Festival
- November 23
- Year-end Purification
- December 31
- New Year's Eve Festival
- December 31
Prayers/Ceremonies
The three deities enshrined at Shirasasa Inari Jinja — Ukano Mitama-no-Mikoto, Omiya-me no Mikoto, and Sarutahiko no Mikoto—are widely revered as the gods governing food, clothing, shelter, financial fortune, arts, and crafts, as well as protection in directions and transportation.
There are two types of prayers: the **Ascension Prayer**, conducted in the Prayer Hall within the shrine, and the **On-Site Ceremonies**, performed by the priest who visits the designated site.
Gokitou: If you wish to participate in the Ascension Prayer:
At Shirasasa Inari Jinja, Ascension Prayers are conducted daily.
The Ascension Prayer involves ascending to the Prayer Hall where the priest offers prayers in front of the deity for various wishes, including family safety, business prosperity, academic success, protection from misfortune, and traffic safety. Please come with your daily gratitude as you ascend to the shrine.
If you wish to request an on-site ceremony:
A priest from Shirasasa Inari Jinja will visit your location to perform the ritual.
Offerings
Introducing some of the omifuda (votive cards) and offerings available at Shirasasa Inari Jinja.
If you are unable to visit the shrine, please contact the Shirasasa Inari Jinja office to receive a payment form by mail.
Gate Tags and Sacred Talismans
Ward off Evil Amulets
Traffic Safety Amulets
Wealth Amulets
Fox Amulets
Health Amulets
Marriage Amulets
Safe Childbirth Amulets
Crystal Amulets, Bracelets, and Magatama
Academic Amulets
Ema (Votive Picture Tablets)
Rakes and Prayer Tags
Flute Amulets
Pet Amulets
Hello Kitty Amulets
Octagonal Amulets
Suzuna Amulets
Shirasasa Inari Fox Stamp Book
Shirasaasa Suzuna Stamp Book
Fox Mask Omikuji
Access
By Car
- 5 minutes from Hadano/Nakai IC on the Tomei Expressway.
By Train
- 17-minute walk from the South Exit of Hadano Station on the Odakyu Line.
- 5-minute taxi ride from the South Exit of Hadano Station on the Odakyu Line.
- 5-minute bus ride from the North Exit of Hadano Station on the Odakyu Line, then a 5-minute walk from the "Shirasasa Inari Jinja Entrance" bus stop.
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Bus Platform 5 at Hadano Station, Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Bus.
Kanachu Bus Stop Map
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Route 18 (秦18) to Shibusawa Station North Exit (via Hatanaka/Hitachi)
Kanachu Bus Timetable
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Route 15 (秦15) to Mannenbashi (via Lake Shinsei).
Kanachu Bus Timetable
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Route 18 (秦18) to Shibusawa Station North Exit (via Hatanaka/Hitachi)
Kanachu Bus Timetable
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Bus Platform 5 at Hadano Station, Kanagawa Chuo Kotsu Bus.
Kanachu Bus Stop Map
- Bus timetable for returning from "Shirasasa Inari Jinja Entrance".