Improve Your Fortune! Visit The Gods Of Money Luck In Nihonbashi

City of Finance: Nihonbashi, Tokyo

Nihonbashi, found in Tokyo's Chuo ward, once flourished as the center of the city, and is now a popular shopping district with numerous department stores and commercial buildings.

However, there is another side to Nihonbashi. Home to the head offices of many banks and securities companies, Nihonbashi also functions as Japan's financial capital. Here you will find the Tokyo Stock Exchange where, in 2014, 576 trillion 4020 million yen was traded. It is the largest financial district in Japan, and one of the major players on the international exchange market.

If you take a stroll through this area, you will come to Kabuto Shrine, located near the TSE, and Tokyo Zeniarai Benten, two shrines that are said to help improve your luck when it comes to money. According to belief, if you pay a visit to these two shrines, you should see some unexpected financial benefits. With the hopes of improving our money luck, let's check out these two shrines today.

When walking around the area, you can see Kabuto Shrine Kabuto Shinkansen which is related to the stock exchanges and Tokyo Senki Benten. There is a shrine related to money, such as Arinbanben in Tokyo. If you visit, there may be unexpected benefits. Let's go for the two shrines in Nihonbashi with the aim of improving money luck.

Tokyo Stock Exchange and Kabuto Shrine

Taking the subway is the most convenient way to reach Nihonbashi, which is connected to the Tokyo Metro Ginza line, the Tozai line, and the Toei Asakusa line. The Tokyo Stock Exchange is a five minute walk from this station, and, standing quietly by this building, is Kabuto Shrine.

Kabuto Shrine was built in 1878 near the previous Tokyo Stock Exchange building as a symbol to demonstrate "the shared faith that the stock exchange and all those concerned with it have in the local Shinto gods". The persons who are responsible for the care and protection of the shrine, called ujikosoudai in Japanese, are employees of the stock exchange itself.

The god of commerce, Uka-no-mitama-no-mikoto is enshrined at Kabuto Shrine. Could it be that this god is working to support Japanese commerce behind the scenes? If you happen to be visiting this area, by all means, please stop by this shrine and pray for the success of your business or company as well.

Now, let's head over to Koami Shrine.

Koami Shrine and Its Stunning Dragon Sculpture

You will find Koami Shrine a five-minute walk away from Kabuto Shrine. Known for its good fortune summoning Kyoun Yakuyoke (*1, 2) god, this shrine is also well-known for its divine blessings when it comes to improving your money luck and for safe travels. This shrine has an ancient and honorable history to it, having stood on this land for well over 500 years - ever since 1466.

*1 Kyoun: good luck or great fortune.
*2 Yakuyoke: warding off of or dispelling evil or misfortunes that may occur in life.

The main building of the shrine was rebuilt in 1929, and is the only hinoki cypress framed shrine in all of Nihonbashi. If you raise your head up when paying your visit here, you will see the revered, magnificent sight of the Kyoun Yakuyoke Dragon to your left and right! This carving is so expertly made you would almost swear that it were alive. This dragon is said to blow bad luck away from worshipers.

Try Washing Your Money at Tokyo Zeniarai Benten

In the precincts of Koami Shrine you will also find the Tokyo Zeniarai Benten, which is where Benten-sama, the goddess of good fortune, the arts and money, is enshrined. In the foreground of the photo you can see a well full of water. Place a coin in the woven bamboo basket and immerse it in the water.

By doing this, you are soaking your money in waters rich with the power of Benten-sama. If you keep this purified money in your water, it is said that your money will double. This has been a long held belief, and many people come to wash their money here.

Shining with drops of water, when you hold this purified money in your hands, you may find yourself feeling that something good is about to come your way.

At the juyosho (*3) you will find rows and rows of omamori or amulets for sale. These lucky charms also make for great souvenirs of your visit to Japan. In addition to the omaori, you will also fine netsuke (a strap-like charm to hang from your phone or bag), shuincho (a notebook that you can receive stamps from temples or shrines in), ema (votive plaques to write wishes or prayers on to hang at the shrine), and kumade (a decorative rake that 'rakes in' good fortune).

There are also turtle themed talismans meant to increase economic fortune and to bring longevity as well, both of which make for great souvenirs for yourself too.

These two shrines in Nihonbashi, both known for their divine blessings in business and finance are shrouded in a sacred atmosphere that seems almost at odds with their location in the city. If you find that your economic fortune has improved after visiting here, by all means visit again - both to give thanks and to perhaps further increase your fortune. Good luck!

*3 Juyosho: the store area within a temple or shrine where amulets, and commemorative items can be purchased.

Information

Kabuto Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Chuo, Nihonbashi, Kabutocho 1-12
Closed: None
Other Languages: None
Nearest Station: Nihonbashi Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza, Tozai, and Toei Asakusa lines)
Access: Go out exit D2 of Nihonbashi Station, walk straight until you reach the Nihonbashi Post Office, then turn right. Walk for 5 minutes.
Religion: Shinto
Website: History of TSE (scroll down to find Kabuto Shrine)

Koami Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Chuo, Nihonbashi, Koamicho16-23
Hours: 9:00-17:30
Closed: None
Other Languages: None
Nearest Station: Ningyocho Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya , Toei Asakusa lines)
Access: Go out exit A6 of Nihonbashi Station, and turn left. At the first corner, turn right. Walk along the street for about 5 minutes.
Religion: Shinto
Phone: 03-3668-1080
Website: Koami Shrine