Hebikubo Shrine, Shinagawa: White Snake Luck

In Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Hebikubo Shrine (formally Tenso Shrine) is a rare shrine nationwide that enshrines the White Snake deity. With Amaterasu Omikami as its principal deity, its grounds hold the White Snake Benzaiten Shrine and the Hebikubo Dragon Shrine. Few shrines worship the white snake and the dragon god together, and it is known for blessings of wealth, prosperity, good fortune, and the fulfillment of wishes. The name Hebikubo Shrine was raised as its official alternate name in 2019, and in recent years its popularity has surged through social media and word of mouth. On Snake Days in particular it draws great crowds praying for wealth, making it a Tokyo power spot in the spotlight.

Highlights

• White Snake Benzaiten Shrine: A popular spot where money rinsed in clear water and placed in your wallet is said to grow your financial luck.
• Stroking White Snake: A statue of a white snake said to grant wishes when stroked, drawing lines of people hoping for wealth and fortune.
• Torii Tunnel of Homitsu Inari Shrine: A mystical path lined with vermilion torii, popular as a photogenic spot.
• Special Air of the Snake Days: On days marking the white snake festival, the grounds become especially lively. It is also one of the shrines on the Ebara Seven Lucky Gods circuit.

Enjoying the Seasons

The Tsuchinoto-mi day, which comes around once every sixty days, is considered especially auspicious and draws crowds seeking limited goshuin seals and amulets. The New Year brings long lines of worshippers praying for wealth and fortune, so weekdays are best for a relaxed visit. The grounds are colored by seasonal plants and flowers, showing a different face each time you come.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 4-4-12 Futaba, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
• Access: About 5 minutes on foot from Nakanobu Station (Toei Asakusa Line), about 6 minutes from Nakanobu Station (Tokyu Oimachi Line), or about 8 minutes from Nishi-Oi Station (JR Yokosuka Line)
• Hours: Grounds open all day (amulet office about 9:00 to 17:00)
• Admission: Free

Practical Travel Notes

• Time Needed: Rinsing coins at the White Snake Benzaiten Shrine, stroking the white snake, and passing through the torii tunnel takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes; on Snake Days, allow extra time for the queue.
• Parking: There is no dedicated lot, and visitors are asked to use nearby coin parking, so public transport is the reliable choice.
• Coin-Rinsing Custom: The custom is to keep the purified money in your wallet rather than spending it.
• Nearby Spots: It is within walking distance of Togoshi-koen Station on the Tokyu Oimachi Line, and as one of the shrines on the Ebara Seven Lucky Gods circuit, it can be enjoyed as part of a route taking in the surrounding temples and shrines.

A Quick Tip

Snake Days and Tsuchinoto-mi days can get crowded, so come early if you are after the limited amulets. The custom is to keep your washed money in your wallet rather than spending it. As the shrine sits within a residential area, please worship quietly out of respect for the neighborhood.

📚 Sources

This article draws mainly on the history, the white serpent faith, annual events, and worship guidance published on the official site of Hebikubo Shrine, also called Kamishinmei Tenso Shrine. It also reflects the interpretive signs in the precinct and the sightseeing information of Shinagawa ward. Festival dates and offered items may change, so please confirm with the official information of Hebikubo Shrine or Shinagawa ward before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: About twenty to forty minutes for the precinct.
• What to bring: Coins are reassuring if you receive white serpent offered items or a shrine stamp.
• How to get around: On foot from Nakanobu or Shimoshimmei Station through the surrounding residential streets.
• Time of day: Snake days draw more worshippers, so weekdays are better for a quiet visit.
• Etiquette: As it is close to a residential area, visit quietly.