Yasaka Shrine

A shrine located in Hino City, Tokyo, known as a shrine associated with the Shinsengumi. Many of the goshuincho and goshuin feature designs inspired by the Shinsengumi, making it a popular spot for fans.

Main Hall / Photo by Japaniche

Blessings

The shrine is said to offer blessings such as warding off evil, business prosperity, and matchmaking. Additionally, due to its association with the Shinsengumi, many visitors pray for martial arts improvement.

Deities Enshrined

The main deity is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and the associated deities enshrined with the main deity are Kushinuke-no-Mikoto, Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto, and Ooyamakui-no-Mikoto.

History

The founding date is unknown, but it is said to have begun when a golden statue of Gozu Tennou washed ashore after a flood of the Tama River, and a shrine was erected to enshrine it.

The main hall was built in Kansei 12 (1800) and is designated by Hino City as an Important Cultural Property, recognized as a fine example of shrine architecture featuring intricate carvings. Beginning in Meiji 3 (1870), items such as the portable shrine, its storage building, and the temporary resting pavilion were newly built over a period of about ten years, and they are still in use today.

Highlights

The main hall, designated by Hino City as an Important Cultural Property, is adorned with intricate carvings on its walls and pillars, making it a truly impressive structure. Today, it is enclosed within a protective outer building, which may appear at first glance to be a simple storage structure. However, during Yasaka Shrine’s annual festival held in September, visitors can view it up close.

Ten'nen Rishin Style Swordsmanship Plaque

Ten'nen Rishin Style Dedication Plaque / Photo by Japaniche

Also enshrined is a Ten’nen Rishin style swordsmanship plaque, dedicated in Ansei 5 (1858) by Kondo Isami, who would later become the commander of the Shinsengumi.

This plaque is displayed to the public during the annual festival and at the Hino Shinsengumi Festival, held every year on May 11, allowing visitors to view it up close. Inscribed with the names of 23 swordsmen from Hino-juku, along with Kondo (Shimizu) Isami and Okita Soji (Sojiro), the plaque carries a strong sense of historical significance.

Goshuincho Modeled After Shinsengumi Uniform

Goshuincho (Light Blue) / Photo by Japaniche

The goshuincho lineup is irresistible for fans, featuring the zigzag pattern and light blue of the Shinsengumi haori uniform, a stylish black and white design of the same pattern, and an adorable pop design with a cat character dressed as a Shinsengumi member, making the lineup irresitible for fans.

Monthly Goshuin

Goshuin (Year-round, Dandara Pattern) / Photo by Japaniche

The goshuin designs change monthly, and one of the shrine’s charms is the wide variety available. You can request up to two handwritten goshuin at a time. The options include a pop-style design featuring the same cat character found on the goshuin books, a cute illustration of a shrine maiden, and designs themed around seasonal events.

Goshuin (Halloween 2025 October Limited Design) / Photo by Japaniche

Additionally, during the Hino Shinsengumi Festival, you can receive a special Shinsengumi-themed goshuin.

These designs are sometimes reissued when the Shinsengumi become a hot topic in anime, games, or films, so if you’re interested, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.

Note: This is not the official account of Yasaka Shrine, but a personal account managed by someone associated with the shrine. For any questions or requests regarding the shrine, we recommend contacting them by phone rather than through Instagram.