Hanazono Jinja Shrine

Hanazono Shrine sits wedged between Shinjuku's high-rises and is dedicated to Inari Okami, the deity of commerce and worldly prosperity. Business people from the surrounding office towers come here before important negotiations to pray for success, making it one of Tokyo's most actively used Inari shrines. In November the Tori-no-Ichi festival sells decorated bamboo rakes (kumade) said to rake in good fortune. Entertainment-industry figures traditionally venerate the shrine as a protector of their careers. Step from the noise of Yasukuni-dori through a vermilion torii into a quiet courtyard guarded by stone foxes. Summer evenings bring antique flea markets under the lanterns.