Did you know that Oji honcho was once a scenic escape? High ground overlooked the Ara River. Oji was a beautiful place in the north of Tokyo. Let’s explore Oji.
Villagers grew rice here in prehistoric times. They erected a shrine for Inari. Inari is the god of rice harvest. That shrine still stands in Oji honcho today.
During the Edo period, cherry and maple trees arrived. They attracted people from Edo. Oji became a shogun favorite for hanami parties. The shrine prospered. More people came to pray. It became the most important Inari shrine of the Kanto region.
Later, paper-making factories appeared. Oji became a paper-making area. Shibusawa Eichi opened his Shoshi Paper factory in 1873. It later became Oji Paper Co., Ltd. The Paper Museum is a dedication to this. It offers a history of paper and paper making.
The prosperity of Oji didn’t last. World War II bombings destroyed much of the area. Today, reconstruction is complete. Oji honcho still has historical places. People flock to parks for cherry blossoms in spring.
Oji Shrine is one of Tokyo’s most important shrines. Emperor Meiji declared it one of the “Ten Shrines of Tokyo” in 1868. Devotees visit it as part of a pilgrimage.
A warlord founded Oji Shrine in the 14th century. It sits atop a hill. You must climb stone steps to reach it. A huge 20-meter high gingko tree stands on the left. It was planted over 650 years ago. The Metropolitan Government of Tokyo designated it a natural monument. The Oji Shrine building is relatively new. It was rebuilt after World War II.
Oji Shrine hosts the Kumade-Ichi or Rake Fair every December 6. Kumade is a bamboo ornamental rake. It is decorated with lucky charms. People buy these rakes for good luck. Vendors celebrate each sale with a handclap.
Oji Inari Shrine is another important shrine. It is dedicated to Inari. It is one of the area’s oldest shrines. It is considered the head Inari shrine of the eight provinces of Kanto. Foxes are guardians and messengers of Inari. On New Year’s Eve, foxes gather here from all over Kanto. They transform into court ladies. They pray at Oji Inari Shrine.
Stone foxes guard the gate. They date back to 1764. Worshippers donated smaller stone foxes. The main shrine building dates back to 1808.
The annual Oji Fox Parade is on New Year’s Eve. It honors the foxes. Residents dress in traditional clothes. They wear paper-maché fox masks. They parade to Oji Inari Shrine. Bonfires are lit. Participants dance around them.
The Tako Ichi or Kite Festival is another event. It dates back to the Edo period. It is held on February 6. Kites are sold and flown on the shrine grounds. They cut the wind and stop fires from spreading.
Asukayama Park is a major cherry blossom spot. It has been a recreation area since the Edo times. Tokugawa Yoshimune opened it to the public. He transplanted cherry trees from Edo Castle. People gather here for hanami parties. Cherry blossom viewing lasts longer here. There are two types of cherry trees. Their blossoming times are different. Special events are held during the cherry viewing festival.
There are monuments at Asukayama Park. One is dedicated to Asukayama no Hi. The other is dedicated to Sakuma Shozan. The park also has museums. They include the Shibusawa Memorial Museum, the Kita City Asukayama Museum, and the Paper Museum.
The Shibusawa Memorial Museum honors Shibusawa Eichi. He founded Japan’s modern economy. He also founded Oji Paper. The museum houses Eichi’s possessions. The Aiisonso building was Eichi’s summer villa.
The Kita City Asukayama Museum offers everything related to the history of Oji. The Paper Museum offers a history of paper.
Otonashi Shinsui Park offers the original beauty of Oji. Recreations include Gongen-no-Taki Waterfall and Funakushi Bridge. Cherry trees and andon-style lanterns add to the beauty. Nanushinotaki Park has artificial waterfalls and ponds.