Legend says that success lies at the top of those very steep stairs. We are standing before Atago Shrine. This Shinto shrine was established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the first shogun of the Edo Shogunate. The shrine sits atop Atagoyama. This hill rises 26 meters above sea level.
Atago Shrine enshrines the god of fire prevention. It also brings luck in love, printing, computers, and business. This is because of its relation to the phrase “related to fire.” The shrine’s location was chosen for its excellent views. These views were well suited to watch for fires in old Tokyo. Now high-rises obscure the view.
The main Shinto god worshipped here is Homusubi no Mikoto. He is the fire god. Other gods worshipped here include Mizuhanome no Mikoto. She is a god of water. There is also Oyamazumi no Mikoto. He is a god of mountains. Finally, there is Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. He is a god of the military.
The steep stone steps leading to the shrine are famous. They represent success in life. These steps are known as the “stairway to success.” A legend tells of a young samurai. He dared to ride his horse up these stairs. He delivered plum blossoms to the shogun. It took his horse one minute to get up. It took 45 minutes to get down. The horse was utterly exhausted afterward. You can see this scene in a painting in the main shrine hall.
The current shrine buildings date from 1958. They were built in the same style as the original. When you climb the stairs, notice the city views. Soldiers used to watch for fires from here. Each step represents success in your life. Think about your past and future successes as you climb.
There is also an elevator on the east side of the Atago Tunnel. Atago Shrine offers blessings related to the flames of love and business. It is a natural site that doesn’t feel like it’s part of an office district. Atago Shrine is a special place in Tokyo. May your visit bring you luck and success.