Kabuto shrine
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Address : 1-8 Nihonbashikabutocho, Chuo City, Tokyo Access : Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Nihonbashi Station > 5 minutes walk Entrance fee : free |
About Kabuto shrine
It is a small shrine located right next to the Tokyo Stock Exchange. It is said to be the guardian deity of the securities industry. Although it is usually unmanned, a Shinto ritual is held there every year on April 1st.
The stone in the shrine precincts is shaped like the helmet worn by samurai in the past.
It is said that this object turned into stone after the helmet of Taira no Masakado – who was slain in the 930s – was buried here as a memorial offering.
According to another legend, Minamoto no Yoshiie hung his helmet on the rock in the 1050s to pray for victory in battle.
The “Kabuto” in the shrine’s name means “helmet” in Japanese. Kabuto-cho, the name of the neighborhood in this area, is derived from this name.
