Hebikubo Shrine
(Shinagawa City, Tokyo)
【Henbi (蛇)】means snakes in Japanese, have long held a fascinating dual identity. Since ancient times, they have been feared as ominous presences because of their sinister appearance, yet also revered as sacred beings connected to water and mountains. Because they shed their skin, snakes came to symbolize rebirth and renewal. Among them, the white snakes are considered divine messengers, especially associated with Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune, music, and prosperity.
Tucked away in a peaceful residential area of Tokyo lies a charming shrine famous for this very creature: Hebikubo Shrine. Its name comes from the old village name Hebikubo, meaning “snake” and “hollow,” serving as a reminder that this area was once a wetland where snakes thrived.
True to its name, the area preserves a legend related to snake. Long ago, a natural spring flowed here, and a white snake was said to live beside the washing place. As time passed, the washing place disappeared, forcing the snake to leave its home. Longing to return, the white snake appeared in the dream of a local leader and asked for a place to come back to. Moved by the request, he built a pond and a small shrine dedicated to Benzaiten, the deity closely linked to white snakes. This shrine became one of Hebikubo Shrine’s sub‑shrines and a symbol of the local community. As you walk through the area, you’ll notice streetlight poles shaped like white snakes, and local shops offering white‑snake‑themed items.
The main sanctuary of Hebikubo Shrine enshrines Amaterasu Ōmikami, the sun goddess and the supreme deity of Shinto. The shrine also has an origin story that dates back to the 14th century. At that time, the region suffered a devastating drought and faced the threat of famine. A Buddhist monk prayed for rain by fasting at a nearby local shrine beside the pond. Miraculously, heavy rain fell, saving the area from disaster. In appreciation for this divine blessing, the people built what is now Hebikubo Shrine.
Interestingly, the Buddhist monk prayed not to a Buddha but to a Shinto deity. This episode reflects how Shinto and Buddhism have long coexisted naturally in Japanese daily life.
Today, the shrine is home to two white snakes—Mii‑kun and Shii‑chan, both Japanese rat snakes. Visitors can see them on a Day of the Snake, a special day that occurs once every twelve days according to a calendar system based on the twelve zodiac animals. They greet you with their white bodies, golden backs, and striking red eyes. Please note that they may not appear during winter or on extremely hot days.
Over time, Hebikubo Shrine came to be regarded as one of Japan’s three major sacred sites associated with white snakes. The other two are the Iwakuni White Snake Shrine in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and the hot-spring town of Oigami in Numata, Gunma Prefecture. These places are believed to bring good fortune, financial prosperity, and success in life, and they attract many visitors, particularly in the Year of the Snake.
Please visit the Hebikubo Shrine website.
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