History
Shugo Jinja began as a private shrine established in 2019 by Ehara Hiroyuki, a well-known television personality and spiritual counselor, after he relocated to Atami. It remained closed to the public until April 17, 2024, when it opened its doors to general worshippers alongside the opening of an adjoining tea house, Tsubuan Sarei, on the same grounds.
The shrine’s primary deity is Shugo Tairei, and it is also said to enshrine Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, his consort Ototachibana-hime no Mikoto, and Kozakura-hime no Mikoto. As a very recently founded shrine, it doesn’t carry the centuries-deep history of most shrines on this site — it reflects the spiritual worldview of its founder and stands as a distinctly modern addition to Atami’s sacred sites.
Highlights
The shrine sits in a quiet corner of the hills above Atami, offering a calm retreat from the busier parts of the city. The adjoining tea house, Tsubuan Sarei, lets visitors enjoy tea and light refreshments before or after paying their respects — the pairing of shrine and tea house is one of the things that sets Shugo Jinja apart.
One popular way to arrive is via the roughly 300-meter uphill path from Kinomiya Jinja, a well-established shrine nearby famous for its giant camphor tree. Combining the two makes for a nice contrast between an old, storied shrine and a brand-new power spot.
Visiting Tips
The single most important thing to know before visiting Shugo Jinja is that visiting the shrine on its own is not allowed. You’re required to make a purchase — a drink, light meal, goshuin, or omamori — at the adjoining tea house, Tsubuan Sarei, as part of your visit. This is an unusual rule compared to most shrines, so it’s worth knowing in advance to avoid confusion.
Opening hours vary by season: 10:00–16:00 from June to September, and 10:00–15:00 from October to May. The shrine is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, though it sometimes opens on public holidays instead, closing another weekday in lieu — so it’s a good idea to confirm current hours before making the trip. A goshuin is available for ¥500, but only as a pre-written paper goshuin; it will not be stamped directly into a personal goshuin book.
Keep in mind that Shugo Jinja is a very new shrine associated with a living celebrity, not an ancient one with centuries of tradition behind it. Visiting with that context in mind — as a contemporary “power spot” rather than a historic pilgrimage site — will help set the right expectations.
Annual Festivals
Since general worshippers have only been able to visit since 2024, Shugo Jinja does not yet have an established calendar of annual festivals or events. This may develop over time as the shrine welcomes more visitors, so it’s worth checking official channels for the latest updates.
Nearby Food & Sightseeing
- Tsubuan Sarei: The tea house adjoining Shugo Jinja, where a purchase is required as part of any visit to the shrine. Its calm setting is a nice place to unwind after paying your respects.
- Kinomiya Jinja: A well-established shrine famous for its giant camphor tree, said to be over 2,000 years old. It also marks the start of the uphill path leading to Shugo Jinja, making the two an easy pair to visit together.
- Atami Sun Beach: A man-made beach close to Atami Station, popular for its palm-tree lighting at night — a classic Atami sightseeing spot and a pleasant stroll after your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. Can anyone visit this shrine?
- A. Yes, the shrine has been open to general worshippers since April 17, 2024. However, visiting the shrine alone is not permitted — you're required to purchase something, such as a drink, goshuin, or omamori, at the adjoining tea house, Tsubuan Sarei.
- Q. What are the visiting hours?
- A. 10:00–16:00 from June to September, and 10:00–15:00 from October to May. The shrine is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, though it sometimes opens on public holidays instead with another weekday closed in lieu, so it's worth checking current hours before you visit.
- Q. Can I get a goshuin here?
- A. Yes, for ¥500. It's provided only as a pre-written paper goshuin (kakioki), not stamped directly into a personal goshuin book.
- Q. How do I get there?
- A. About a 10-minute walk from JR Kinomiya Station. It can also be reached via a roughly 300-meter uphill path from the well-known Kinomiya Jinja shrine nearby.
- Q. What kind of shrine is this?
- A. Shugo Jinja is a relatively new shrine, founded by television personality and spiritual counselor Ehara Hiroyuki after his move to Atami. Unlike most shrines featured here, it doesn't have centuries of history behind it — it's known today as a modern 'power spot.'
