An Ema is a wooden votive tablet with a drawing of a horse on it that is offered to a shrine when praying for something or when a prayer is answered.
It is said that the connection to the practice of drawing a horse on these Ema derives from the ancient belief that the gods rode sacred horses (known as “shinme”) into the world of men, and as such live horses were offered as prayers.
All of the Ema are gifts from the Tower Daijingu and are purified in advance by the chief priest of Saiwai Inari Shrine. The stand on which the Ema are hung was also purified after the establishment of the observation deck. In recent years, thanks to the divine virtue of the enshrined deity, it is said that the Ema fulfill various prayers, including success in love and school exams. After a certain period of time, the Ema dedicated to the shrine by visitors are offered to Saiwai Inari Shrine. The wood used for the Ema is repurposed timber from forest thinning that is conducted to protect the forests of Kochi Prefecture. This wood has a rich aroma and is also environmentally friendly.
Relationship with Saiwai Inari Shrine
Saiwai Inari Shrine has a deep connection to Tokyo Tower. As the local tutelary god/guardian deity of Shiba Park, where Tokyo Tower is located, it not only provided the purification ceremony for the construction of Tokyo Tower, but is also involved in the annual festival held each May at the Tower Daijingu, and offers ceremonial offerings of prayers for construction-related safety.
Origins of Saiwai Inari Shrine
Saiwai Inari Shrine is said to have been founded in April 1394 as the tutelary Shinto shrine of Kishinomura, Toshima-gun, in old Musashi Province (currently, 10 Shiba Koen, Shibadaimon).Originally known as “Kishi no Inari,” it was later given the honorific title of Saiwai Inari Shrine due to the continued good fortune of shrine goers and believers.
Please consider arranging tickets for the main deck (150 m) in advanced, which can be purchased online.
Also please note that the final entry time may be earlier than normal due to the number of visitors.