Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu

Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu is a prominent shinto shrine located at the top of a small hill near Ichigaya Station.

The approach to the shrine is via some alarmingly steep stairs, although if you head to the left, there is a road that slopes up more gently to the back of the shrine.

There are buildings, stone lanterns and smaller shrines on terraces below the main hall. At the top of the stairs, the pathway to the main prayer hall building is lined with mature trees, which provide a soothing green canopy in summer.

A unique aspect of Ichigaya Kamegaoka Hachimangu is that worshippers can pray together with their pets—whether they be cats, dogs or guinea pigs. The shrine even has pet versions of rituals and ceremonies that are usually reserved for humans, such as shichigosan—the seven-five-three festival for children.