While walking through the back streets of Shibuya or Ginza, suddenly a red Torii (鳥居)It gives me a really strange feeling whenever I come across it. There’s this little shrine right next to a building worth hundreds of billions, or on the roof of a department store. At first, I wondered, “Why didn’t they tear this down?”
From a purely economic standpoint, this is a place that should have disappeared long ago. But in Japan, Development Logic...is powerless in the presence of a gentleman. If you dig deeper into why that is, it comes down to a collective fear of curses— Curse (Tatari), legal ownership, and the company's marketing strategy are all intertwined.
Urban Legends About Those Who Crossed the Gentleman
The primary reason Japanese developers are extremely reluctant to demolish or relocate shrines is that it cannot be explained by science Tatari (Curse)It is a collective fear. Japanese history is rife with urban legends about cases where attempts to forcefully develop sacred areas resulted in those involved suffering mysterious accidents or the projects going bankrupt.
The most famous example is the torii at Haneda Airport. Immediately after World War II, U.S. forces attempted to dismantle the torii to expand the airport, but a series of accidents occurred in which the heavy machinery they deployed suddenly broke down or workers were injured. Eventually, even the U.S. military gave up on the demolition, and that torii still stands near the runway today, known as the “Guardian of Haneda.”
These psychological defense mechanisms remain effective even on the boards of modern large corporations. No matter how rational the management may be, "If something bad happens after we cross a gentleman, who will take responsibility?"It is difficult to make a decision when faced with this question. As a result, even if the building is located right in the center of a development site, it ends up being preserved as if the surrounding area were carved away, or it survives by being respectfully relocated to the rooftop of a building. This is deeply rooted in the Japanese subconscious— AweThis is a unique example that defies the logic of capitalism.
It's difficult to take legal action against it
In addition to psychological factors, Legal RightsThere is a compelling practical reason for this. Many small shrines in Japan have occupied that land for hundreds of years, and even under the modern legal system, Religious Corporation...and is recognized as having strong ownership rights.
Complex Ownership and Refusal to Transfer
The land on which a shrine stands is often owned not by the state or the city, but by a specific family, a local community, or a religious organization. Even during large-scale redevelopment projects, the shrine authorities "This is sacred land that has been preserved by our ancestors for generations."If they refuse to relocate on these grounds, there is little legal basis for forcibly relocating them.
The Economics of Tax Benefits and Maintenance Costs
Because religious properties receive tax benefits, their maintenance costs are significantly lower than those of commercial properties. From the perspective of local governments or companies, receiving floor area ratio incentives in exchange for preserving shrines is far more advantageous than provoking unnecessary legal disputes, as A realistic compromise...will be reached.
With these legal and economic interests intertwined, small shrines are wedged like gaps between the towering buildings in Japan’s city centers. Mosaic-style urban structureI ended up with.
Why Is There a Gentleman on the Roof of the Department Store?
What’s interesting is that companies don’t just preserve shrines out of obligation; they also actively maintain them on their own. On the rooftops of major Japanese department stores and corporate headquarters, Inari Shrine (Fox Shrine)It is common to find such offerings. These are offerings made by companies to the god who presides over prosperity and business success. Business EtiquetteThat is.
Major corporations such as Mitsukoshi Department Store and Mitsui Fudosan take the location of shrines into account right from the building design stage. The sight of employees paying their respects there every morning and praying for the company’s well-being is a tradition unique to Japan. Corporate CultureIt conveys this message. It also achieves a branding effect that instills confidence in customers, making them feel that “this company values tradition and is blessed by divine providence.”
Ultimately, the torii in the city center is not a relic that has succumbed to the logic of development, but rather a symbol of the coexistence of modern civilization and ancient beliefs Strategic AllianceIt is a symbol of this partnership. The shrine provides the space, while the building envelops that space with modern facilities, and the two affirm each other’s existence. Isn’t that fascinating?
"A park is not an obstacle that hinders the city's metabolism. It is a spiritual lung that allows us to catch our breath in the concrete jungle, and an eternal landmark where time stands still."
When you're walking around Tokyo and come across a shrine,
If you pay attention while walking, you'll see them more often than you'd think. Here are a few recommended spots: Nihonbashi Fukutoku ShrineEven in the middle of a forest of office buildings, it retains the authentic atmosphere of the Edo period. Shibuya Mitake ShrineIt's a place where, if you climb the stairs in a busy downtown alley, a quiet forest suddenly appears. Akasaka Hie ShrineHe's a gentleman riding the escalator up, and it creates an interesting contrast with the modern building.
Tips for visiting shrines: As a general rule, avoid making a commotion, and always check first to see if photography is allowed. The atmosphere can be completely different during special festivals, so it’s a good idea to check the schedule on each shrine’s website beforehand. My Japanese friend says that since it’s such a familiar sight from childhood, they’ve never thought of it as anything special, but to a foreigner’s eyes, it’s quite a striking contrast.