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My database contains sixteen shrines located in Ginza in Chuo-ku in the heart of Tokyo. Of these sixteen, eleven are Inari Jinja meaning that there is one Inari Jinja for every 270 of Ginza’s resident population. I suspect that this is the lowest such number in Japan, and by extension in the world. Of course the number for daytime population—people working in shops and offices, sightseers, shoppers etc—is much higher. I haven’t been able to find a figure for Ginza’s daytime population but for Chuo-ku as a whole the daytime/resident population ratio is 3.84: applying this to Ginza the number of Inari Jinja per head of daytime population rises from 270 to 1,038, still a very low number.
These shrines are all very small and often quite difficult to find. Some are down alleyways and most of them are seemingly pressed into the side of buildings. "Easy to photograph" is not a phrase which readily springs to mind when describing them.
The ones described on this site so far are: Asahi Inari Jinja, Azuma Inari Jinja, Enbujo Inari Daimyojin, Toyoiwa Inari inja, Saiwai Inari Jina.
Enbujo Inari Daimyojin 演舞場稲荷大明神
Ginza 6-18-2
“Enbujo” is the Shimbashi Kabuki Theatre and the shrine is part of the Theatre Building. Most of the people praying there are hoping to become Kabuki actors themselves or wishing good health and fortune for actors they follow.
Toyoiwa Inari Jinja 豊岩稲荷神社
Ginza 7-8-14 Enshrined Kami: Ukanomitama-Mikoto: 稲倉魂命 Annual Festival: April 15
Founded by Yasuda Sakubei, a vassal of Akechi Mitsuhide, the latter probably best known as having caused Oda Nonunaga to commit suicide. From the early Edo Period Toyoiwa Inari Jinja has been known for its divine graces of fire prevention and matchmaking. The famous Kabuki actor, Ichimura Uzaemon XV (1874-1945), was a well-known patron of the shrine.
Saiwai Inari Jinja 幸稲荷神社
Ginza 1-5-13 Enshrined Kami: Uka-no-mitama-kami 宇迦之御魂神
It is said that during the Edo Period a sword (tachi) market was held in the area and the shrine was known as Tachiuri Inari. Be that as it may, these days the main divine grace of the shrine is tying the love knot.
