Suwa Jinja is a shrine which has had a long history of visitations from influential military leaders in history. It was first constructed around the turn of the 9th century as a small local shrine for the surrounding towns and villages. Later, Minamoto no Yoritomo prayed at Suwa Jinja for a successful campaign against rebellious forces in the north. Upon his victory, he rebuilt Suwa Jinja into a proper shrine. Unfortunately, Suwa Jinja would be burnt down and remain demolished for years to come. In the Edo period, Tokugawa Yoshinao would rebuild the shrine after enshrining a portion of the soul from the main Suwa Jinja in Nagano. The current Suwa Jinja in modern day Nishi Waseda has stood since then even surviving the fire bombs of WW2 which burnt Tokyo to the ground.

For the casual: 4. For the educated: 4.

Suwa Jinja is not a major shrine and its only real affiliation is with the universities like the prestigious Waseda University only a few blocks away. If it was not near the train stations I used every day to get to school I would not have visited it. However, Suwa Jinja is a charming little shrine with trees old and proud. I will always recommend that people stop by and visit if in the area.