Shrine · Mukojima

Ushijima Shrine 牛嶋神社

The guardian shrine of Mukojima in a corner of Sumida Park, with a rare three-way torii and a stone "nade-ushi" cow that locals rub to heal whatever ails them.

About

Ushijima Shrine is said to date back to the 9th century and moved to its present riverside spot by Sumida Park in 1932. It is the ujigami, or guardian shrine, for a wide swathe of Sumida, and its most unusual feature is the mitsu-torii, a central torii with smaller gates attached on both sides, a form seen at only a handful of shrines in Japan. Inside the grounds lies the nade-ushi, a smooth stone cow: rub the part of the cow that corresponds to the part of your body that hurts, and it is believed to help. Pairs of guardian cows replace the usual lion-dogs, and the Skytree rises close above the trees. The great festival with an ox-drawn imperial cart is held only every five years, but on any day the shrine is a calm break from the riverbank crowds.

Highlights

• Rare mitsu-torii (triple torii) at the entrance
• Nade-ushi stone cow polished by generations of hands
• Guardian cow statues in place of the usual komainu
• Skytree views from the precinct
• Five-yearly grand festival with an ox-drawn cart

Tips

• Rub the cow on the same spot where you have pain, then your own body, that is the local ritual.
• It sits at the north end of Sumida Park; combine with a riverside walk from Asakusa across Sakura-bashi.
• Mimeguri Shrine, with its Mitsukoshi lions, is 5 minutes north.
• Goshuin are available at the office in daytime.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Kototoi BridgeBridge · 210 m away
• Sumida ParkPark · 230 m away
• Skytree from Genmori-bashiPhoto Spot · 240 m away
• Tokyo Mizumachi Riverside and SkytreePhoto Spot · 250 m away
• Mimeguri ShrineShrine · 300 m away
• Yamato Transport · Azumabashi CenterLuggage Storage · 300 m away
• Tokyo Mizube Cruising LineActivities & Experiences · 330 m away
• Pokémon Center Skytree TownPokémon & Character Store · 450 m away