Discover Japan in the Neighborhood—Dressed in Jinbei!”

 

A jinbei makes wonderfully comfortable loungewear for children to enjoy in the room, and during the summer, they’re welcome to wear it out and about, too!
 

 
Wrap. Tie. Relax.
 
*Many kids' jinbei come with the ties already fastened, so most of the time you just need to slip them on like a T-shirt.
 
Enjoy the simple, traditional comfort of Japan.
 
 
 

A little stroll to SUITENGU, our local shrine just three minutes away on foot.
Suitengu is also widely believed in for its blessings in helping people conceive.
 
 
 

This shrine is especially famous for prayers for a safe and easy childbirth. Many expectant mothers from all over Tokyo come here to pray for a safe delivery. You’ll also see mothers returning after giving birth to express their gratitude.
There is a traditional belief that visiting the shrine when you are five months pregnant brings a safe delivery. In Japan, certain days of the year are known as “Inu no Hi,” are considered especially auspicious for this prayer.
 
The following are the "Inu no Hi", or auspicious days for praying for a safe delivery, from summer 2026 onward.
9/9 Wed, 9/21 Wed, 10/3 Sat. 10/15 Thr, 10/27 Tus, 11/8 Sun, 11/20 Fri,12/2 Wed,12/14 Mon, 12/26 Sat.
 
The shrine and the streets around it can get quite crowded on these days.
 
The literal translation of 'Inu no Hi' is 'Day of the Dog.'
But why dogs?
 
Dogs are traditionally associated with safe childbirth because they tend to give birth to many puppies and have relatively easy deliveries. That’s why you’ll find cute dog decorations and motifs all around Suitengu Shrine. They are symbols of safe and smooth childbirth.
 
 

When you visit a shrine, it's basically important to purify your mind and body, so lightly wash your hands with water to cleanse yourself.
 

Put Japanese yen as an offering into the donation box, which is the brown box in this picture.
Follow the custom of two bows, two claps, and one bow.
Don’t overthink it—just follow what the people around you are doing, and you can’t go wrong! 
 

 

Many visitors take lots of photos to remember their visit.
 
 
 
 
At Suitengu, they also sell 'omamori' (protective charms) and 'ofuda' (amulets). You can display them at home, or attach the charms to your bag. There are many kinds of 'omamori' for different blessings, and lots of them are really pretty. In Japan, many people also buy them as souvenirs when traveling.
 

These are omamori, or Japanese good-luck charms. There are many different types, from traditional, simple designs to colorful ones. You can also find smaller charms for children, as well as ones featuring cute dog motifs.
They make a lovely gift for someone who is expecting a baby.
 
 
 

This "omamori" is specially packaged as a gift, and it comes in a box made of "KIRI" wood, or paulownia wood.
 
Paulownia wood has many useful qualities. It is naturally resistant to decay, insects, moisture, mold, and odors. It is also relatively fire-resistant and very lightweight. Because of these qualities, paulownia wood has traditionally been considered an excellent material for storing valuable and important items.
 

The wood is also beautiful and naturally pale in color, so it has been used to make sacred objects and ritual implements at shrines.
 
Another interesting quality is that paulownia wood is very soft and has few sharp splinters, making it less likely to cause cuts or bleeding. In Japan, where ritual purity is especially important, paulownia has therefore often been used for containers and objects used to store sacred or ceremonial items.
 
In addition to the practical qualities of paulownia wood, the item is placed in a box to keep it pure and protect it from impurities associated with the giver and from harmful influences in the outside world.
Putting a gift in a box also expresses a sense of respect and thoughtfulness. Rather than simply handing someone an item as it is, the giver carefully wraps it together with their feelings and presents it with respect.
 
 
 

There is also a traditional belief that if you write your wish on an  ” EMA", or wooden prayer plaque, your wish may come true.
 
”Ema” come in many different shapes and designs, depending on the shrine. Some are even shaped like dogs, while others feature unique designs created especially for that particular shrine.
Looking for these original and sometimes adorable ema can be part of the fun when exploring a shrine!
 
 

In English, “May God bless you” can be expressed in Japanese as   “Kami no go-kago ga arimasu yo-ni,”.
The interesting part is the word   “kago.”  In Japanese,   kago  can also mean a   basket.
This creates a playful word connection: the dog, a symbol of fertility and safe childbirth, is depicted with a basket over its head. So the image can be understood as the dog receiving   “the protection of the gods”  while also literally having a   basket (kago)  on its head.
It’s a fun example of Japanese wordplay, combining the idea of divine protection with the image of a basket.
 

More recently, Suitengu shrine has also started offering an original children’s tableware set, created in collaboration with ”Fukagawa Seiji”, a prestigious Japanese porcelain maker with a long history of supplying items to the Imperial Household.
It is likely to be quite an expensive gift, so please ask at the shrine reception for the current price and details.
If you are looking for a truly special gift for a family with young children, or for a family expecting a baby, this could be a wonderful premium gift—especially because it is an original item that can only be purchased here.
 
 
 

Feeling a little tired? Take a break at the children’s book and toy corner.
You can take the toys and books back to your room, and if your child finds something they like, you can swap it for another one as many times as you like.
 
 

We also have a selection of photo props available for commemorative photos. If you’d like to use them, please feel free to ask a member of our front desk staff.
 
We hope you enjoy your jinbei lifestyle!