Statue & Monument · Otemachi
Masakado's Head Mound (Masakado-zuka) 将門塚
The tiny, much-feared grave of the 10th-century rebel Taira no Masakado, wedged between Otemachi skyscrapers; legend says his severed head flew here from Kyoto, and every attempt to move the mound has been followed by misfortune.
About
Taira no Masakado declared himself 'new emperor' of eastern Japan in 939 and was killed in 940; his head was displayed in Kyoto, and, the story goes, flew back east and landed here, then a fishing village called Shibasaki. Over the centuries he became a protective deity of Edo, enshrined at Kanda Myojin. The mound itself has a fearsome reputation: after the 1923 earthquake the Ministry of Finance built over it and a string of officials died, and after World War II, when the occupation tried to clear the site, a bulldozer overturned. Since then, the companies around it have treated it with great respect, and the site was carefully redesigned in 2021. Today it is a small stone-paved precinct with a memorial stone, incense and offerings of frog figurines, because 'kaeru' (frog) also means 'return', and people pray for things to come back safely.
Highlights
- Memorial stone of Taira no Masakado amid Otemachi's towers
- Frog figurines left as offerings, a pun on 'return'
- One of Tokyo's most famous curse legends
- Redesigned in 2021 as a calm stone precinct
- Link to the Kanda Matsuri, whose procession honours Masakado
Tips
- This is a place of worship; bow, keep quiet and do not touch the offerings or step onto the mound.
- Take Otemachi Station exit C5 and walk 1 minute.
- Combine with Kanda Myojin, where Masakado is enshrined, or the Imperial Palace East Gardens, 5 minutes away.
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
Save Masakado's Head Mound (Masakado-zuka) to your trip, see reviews and photos from travelers, and get directions.
Open in the appNearby
- Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at OtemachiStay · 30 m away
- VIRTÙBars & Nightlife · 50 m away
- Coin Lockers · Otemachi StationLuggage Storage · 110 m away
- Hoshinoya TokyoStay · 200 m away
- Imperial Palace East GardensCastle & Palace · 280 m away
- Aman TokyoStay · 320 m away
- Royal Bar (Palace Hotel Tokyo)Bars & Nightlife · 340 m away
- Palace Hotel TokyoStay · 360 m away