Discovering Ginza’s Hidden Shrines and Jizo
Walk through Ginza and, amid the boutiques and polished cafés, you’ll find small shrines and jizo statues in the most unexpected places. These spots are little known to tourists, making them hidden gems for anyone who wants to explore Ginza more deeply.
Ginza Shusse Jizo and its Connection to Ginza Daifuku Jizo
The most famous jizo in Ginza is “Ginza Shusse Jizo-son.” In the early Meiji period, an apprentice stonemason carved a jizo statue in memory of his parents, and this is said to be the origin of what we now know as Ginza Shusse Jizo-son. The statue was once left on the street, but it eventually made its way up to the rooftop of Ginza Mitsukoshi department store — and this journey of ascent is why it came to be called “shusse” (career-advancement) jizo. For details, please see the Ginza Mitsukoshi website.
Ginza Daifuku Jizo, meanwhile, was designed in tribute to the warm, gentle expression of Ginza Shusse Jizo. Rather than being a site for prayer, Ginza Daifuku Jizo is intended as a lighthearted photo spot that anyone can enjoy.
The Joy of Exploring Ginza: Discovering Hidden Charm
Ginza is well known for shopping and dining, but its hidden shrines and jizo statues are part of its charm too. On your next stroll through Ginza, why not visit Ginza Shusse Jizo-son and Ginza Daifuku Jizo — and perhaps seek out the hidden shrines and statues in the surrounding area? You may well discover something new. Take time to walk through Ginza and soak up its history and atmosphere.
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