Everyone who calls himself anime fan or even otaku knows about Akiba. The short term for Akihabara (秋葉原). It roughly translates to autumn foil field. It's also called the electric city because of the many electric appliance stores which rose since the 70's and made this neighbourhood well known to almost every Japanese. But today it is even more famous for being the capital of the anime, manga and gaming culture. It is a very dense urban area composed of at least 10 story buildings and high rises. And in the middle of it there is something you wouldn't expect.

The hidden shrine

You will have to seek for a way between the buildings. The distance looks narrow and most people will say that's not a way at all. But if you are brave enough and take such a hidden path you may have spectacular findings. And in this case it's a Shinto shrine. Of course it's a real shrine for worshipping a real Kami. An Inari shrine which is named officially Hanabusa Inari Shrine and the enshrined Kami is Ukanomitama-no-Kami.

History

It is said that shrine was founded somewhere in the Edo period on another place in Akiba and later relocated to his current position. The buildings covering it where of course constructed much later. It follows a usual Japanese rule that holy ground is not to be touched and so this shrine is still there and for the forseeable future it will be still there.

When suffering from severe coughs due to whooping cough or colds, it was believed to be beneficial to pray at Hanabusa Inari.

It seems to have been revered as the God of Cough Relief since ancient times.

So if you are planing a trip to Akiba this spot is worth visiting. For all those who are not friends of hide and seek this map will provide you the exact position. But I really can advise to find it by yourself. That's more magical.