Shrine · Oji
Oji Inari Shrine 王子稲荷神社
The historic head of all Inari shrines in eastern Japan, where foxes once gathered on New Year's Eve, today the setting for a lantern-lit fox-mask parade on December 31 and a quirky kite fair in February.
About
According to Edo legend, every New Year's Eve the foxes of the Kanto region gathered under a great tree in Oji, then came to Oji Inari to pay their respects, a scene Hiroshige painted in "Foxfires on New Year's Eve at the Enoki Tree, Oji". The shrine was long regarded as the head of Inari shrines across the Kanto. Climb past the main hall to find stone fox statues, a small fox den (Kitsune no Ana) on the hillside, and the Oishi-sama stone you lift to divine whether your wish will be granted, if it feels lighter than you expected, it will. In February, on the Days of the Horse, the Tako-ichi kite fair sells fire-protection kites, and on the night of December 31 the Oji Fox Parade sees people in fox makeup and masks walk with lanterns from nearby Shozoku Inari to the shrine.
Highlights
- Historic head shrine of Inari worship in the Kanto region
- Oji Fox Parade on New Year's Eve, with fox masks and lanterns
- Tako-ichi fire-protection kite fair in February (Days of the Horse)
- Oishi-sama wish-telling stone and hillside fox den
- Rows of stone foxes and red torii on a quiet slope
Tips
- From Oji Station take the North Exit and walk about 7 minutes; combine with Asukayama Park's cherry blossoms.
- The fox parade starts late on Dec 31 and is crowded, arrive early and dress warmly.
- Lift the Oishi-sama stone with respect and put it back gently, it is a sacred stone.
- Hours are daytime only and the office is small; bring cash for goshuin.
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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