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ETIQUETTE

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ETIQUETTE

Komagome Tenso Shrine: Founded on Yoritomo's Divine Vision by Adachi Morinaga

Komagome Tenso Shrine in Bunkyo Ward was founded in 1189 when Minamoto no Yoritomo, on his way to the Oshu Campaign, received a divine dream and ordered his trusted retainer Adachi Morinaga to enshrine Amaterasu. Known as the guardian shrine of Komagome village throughout the Edo period, it pairs beautifully with nearby Rikugien Garden for a one-day outing.

Contents

MOKUJI

The Founding Legend

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Adachi Morinaga: Yoritomo's Most Trusted Retainer

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Edo Period: Guardian Shrine of Komagome Village

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One-Day Itinerary: Komagome and Surroundings

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Extend to Kamakura

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FAQ

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In the residential streets of Bunkyo Ward, a quiet shrine grove suddenly appears — Komagome Tenso Shrine, with its extraordinary Kamakura-era founding story.

The Founding Legend

In 1189, Minamoto no Yoritomo was leading his army east to crush the Oshu Fujiwara clan. Along the way he received a divine dream, and ordered his trusted retainer Adachi Morinaga (Fujikuro Morinaga) to investigate a certain spot. Morinaga found a sacred hemp wand (ohnusa) hanging from a pine branch — interpreted as a divine manifestation — and enshrined Amaterasu there. This is the origin of Komagome Tenso Shrine.

Adachi Morinaga: Yoritomo’s Most Trusted Retainer

Morinaga had served Yoritomo since his years of exile in Izu and is counted among the Thirteen Lords of the Kamakura Shogunate. He is said to have served as Yoritomo’s eboshi-oya (godfather at coming-of-age ceremony), indicating a bond of trust beyond the typical lord-retainer relationship.

Edo Period: Guardian Shrine of Komagome Village

In the Edo period the shrine was known as Komagome Shinmeigu and served as the ujigami (tutelary shrine) of Komagome village. It was re-established by Hori Tangonokami Toshitsugu during the Kan’an era (1648–1652). The current shrine building dates to 1954, rebuilt after the 1945 air raids.

One-Day Itinerary: Komagome and Surroundings

From Komagome Station (JR Yamanote or Tokyo Metro Namboku Line), walk 10 minutes to the shrine. Then visit Rikugien Garden (a 5-minute walk; ¥300 admission) — one of Tokyo’s finest Edo-period daimyo gardens. In the afternoon, walk 15 minutes to the Toyo Bunko Museum for rare manuscripts spanning the Kamakura to Edo periods (open 10:00–19:00, closed Wednesdays, ¥900 admission).

Extend to Kamakura

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu and Kenchoji connect directly to the world of Yoritomo and Adachi Morinaga, completing the Kamakura shogunate narrative that begins here in Komagome.

FAQ

Is a goshuin available? Possibly — confirm the shamusho hours before visiting. How long does the full Komagome day take? Shrine (30 min) + Rikugien (90 min) + Toyo Bunko (90 min) = about 4–5 hours including lunch.

Last updated: May 22, 2026

Rikugien Garden, Komagome — a few minutes' walk from Tenso Shrine; one of Edo's finest daimyo gardens

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Minamoto no Yoritomo — founder of the Kamakura shogunate, who ordered the enshrining of Amaterasu at Komagome

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — the heart of Yoritomo's Kamakura shogunate that Adachi Morinaga faithfully served

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Kenchoji — the spiritual heart of Kamakura's samurai culture connected to Adachi Morinaga's legacy

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Engakuji — the Zen world of Kamakura that Adachi Morinaga's descendants inhabited

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

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