Okunitama Shrine - Meet The Guardians Of The Musashi Province

Fuchu, Tokyo, is a metropolitan town with a rare trait: it's full of greenery. It is a very accessible area with several routes available (Keio Line, JR Nambu Line, and the JR Musashino Line).

Did you know that the deity that opened the Musashi Province, which consisted of Tokyo, Saitama, and a portion of Kanagawa, is enshrined in Fuchu? We will introduce a shrine with over 1900 years of history, the Okunitama Shrine.

Okunitama-no-Okami: The Guardian of The Musashi Province

What is now known as Tokyo, Saitama, and a portion of Kanagawa was once called the Musashi Province.

Reference: Present-day Saitama

Reference: Present-day Tokyo

Reference: Present-day Kanagawa
Okunitama-no-Okami is a god enshrined at Okunitama Shrine. He is the deity who is believed to have opened the Musashi Province and to have instructed people on how to feed, clothe, and house themselves. He is a guardian deity that has continued to watch over the land as the creator of present-day Tokyo and Saitama.

Enshrined alongside Okunitama-no-Okami are six distinguished local deities of the Musashi Province known as the Rokusho. It can be said that it is a very gracious shrine where you can greet the deities of Kanagawa, Tokyo, and Saitama all in one visit.

Okunitama-no-Okami is also widely known as the guardian deity of fortune and marriage.

To the Main Shrine of Okunitama-no-Okami!

There are many other deities enshrined at Okunitama Shrine aside from Okunitama-no-Okami and the Rokushu of Musashi Province. First, we will guide you through a route to the main shrine to visit Okunitama-no-Okami so you don’t get lost.

Okunitama Shrine is a five minute walk from the Keio Line at Fuchu Station or the JR Nambu Line and the Musashino Line in Fuchuhommachi Station. It is an easily accessible destination.

Upon arriving at the shrine, the first to stand out will be the large torii gates. It is said that the shrine boasts Japan’s largest granite torii gates. During events, the long road leading into the shrine is crowded with people.

Once you pass under the torii gates, small shrines and a sumo ring will come into view. However, our goal is the main shrine which is located straight ahead.

Continue down the road lined with large trees and you will arrive at these Zuishinmon (gates that defend against the infiltration of evil forces). Let’s cleanse ourselves at the chouzuya located in the front before entering.

Erected in front of the main shrine is a bright red structure called the Chujakumon. You will very soon find yourself at the main shrine after passing under this structure!