札次神社

Stepping onto the grounds of Fudatsu-Jīnja, one can almost feel the echoes of history. This Shinto shrine, nestled in Machida’s Koyōgaoka neighborhood, holds a story as captivating as its serene surroundings. Fudatsu-Jīnja’s origins remain shrouded in some mystery. While the exact date of its founding is unknown, records reveal its existence as early as 1666. This suggests the shrine was likely established even earlier, perhaps during the Edo period’s beginning. Originally called Fudatsu-Daimyōjin, the shrine was dedicated to a deity associated with the renowned Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Prefecture. Fudatsu-Jīnja has witnessed the passage of time, standing as a silent observer of changing eras. In 1756, during the Hōreki era, the shrine’s main building underwent reconstruction. Later, in 1846, a new oratory was built, followed by the merging of two smaller shrines, the Harushima Shrine and the Yahata Shrine, into the Fudatsu-Jīnja complex in 1862. Further renovations in 1870 saw the construction of a new worship hall and administrative office. Just over a decade later, in 1882, the main hall was reroofed and the priest’s residence and a water pavilion were added. Today, a visit to Fudatsu-Jīnja offers a glimpse into the past. The enshrined deity, Takemikazuchi-no-okami, is revered as a powerful god of war and thunder. The shrine grounds also boast two designated historical landmarks. The first, a stone pagoda marking the grave of Hattori Hanzō, a legendary samurai. The second is the Tokugawa (Matsudaira) Nobuyasu Memorial Tower, a five-tiered stone structure enclosed by a stone fence. Fudatsu-Jīnja invites you to experience a unique blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of tradition.