13 Must See Shrine In Tokyo, Japan

1. Hie Shrine

Housing the guardian deity of Edo Castle, the present imperial palace, is the Hie Shrine in Tokyo. The shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of Mount Hie in Shiga prefecture, Hie-no-kami, from which the shrine gets its name. Though many shrine buildings were burned down during World War II bombings, visitors can still admire the reconstructed vermillion-hued shrine buildings. Other notable features here are statues of a monkey-like creature, Masaru, and lion-like creatures, Komainu and vermillion torii (traditional Japanese shrine gates) tunnel through which you have to pass to reach the main shrine. The shrine is also famous for its Sanno Festival that is held in June each year.

Hie Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0014, Japan

Website: Hie Shrine

Opening hours: 6am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

2. Nakano Numabukuro Hikawa Shrine

Nakano Numabukuro Hikawa Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Susano Otomo, the Shinto god of protector from evil, difficulties, worries and misfortunes. The temple has a traditional architecture of its shrine buildings and devotees are often seen offering prayers in the main shrine. Other interesting aspects are the various statues seen on the grounds of this shrine, including that of a man holding a fish, a cat, etc. A stone statue of a guardian dog is also seen at the shrine and locals believe that stroking the dog ensures safe childbirth and good upbringing of the child.

Nakano Numabukuro Hikawa Shrine

Address: 1 Chome-31-4 Numabukuro, Nakano City, Tokyo 165-0025, Japan

Website: Nakano Numabukuro Hikawa Shrine

3. Yasukuni Shrine

Built in the late 1800s, Yasukuni Shrine is a memorial to those who laid down their lives for Japan. Also known as Yasukuni Jinja, the temple honours the spirits of the people who died in Japan’s various wars like World War I and II, the Sino-Japanese and Russo-Japanese wars, Boshin War, the Manchurian Incident, the Seinan War and the China Incident. Various festivals and rituals honouring the dead are held on the temple grounds each year. Visitors can stroll through the peaceful grounds observing the torii gates, worship halls, gates, garden, cheery trees and visiting the Yushukan museum.

Yasukuni Shrine

Address: 3 Chome-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-8246, Japan

Website: Yasukuni Shrine

Opening hours: 6am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

4. Kanda Shrine

First built about 1200 years ago, the Kanda Shrine has changed locations several times before moving to its current location in Tokyo in the 17th-century. The shrine hosts one of Japan’s three biggest festivals and is an important place of worship in the city of Tokyo. People flock to this temple to pray for good luck, marriage and prosperity that is signified by the enshrinement of the temple’s three prominent deities Ebisu, Daikokuten and Taira Masakado. The temple’s famous festival, Kanda Matsuri or Kanda Festival, is enjoyed by millions and includes processions and parades through Tokyo.

Kanda Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-16-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan

Website: Kanda Shrine

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

5. Gojo Shrine

Located in Tokyo’s sprawling Ueno Park and close to the National Museum, Gojo Shrine is a small Shinto shrine dedicated to the god of medicine, Gojo-Tenjin. Similar to many other shrines in Tokyo, this shrine too has been moved several times over the past centuries until its present location in Ueno Park that was established in 1928. Visitors can admire the large stone torii at the entrance of the shrine, the traditional architecture of the main shrine, performance hall and purification structure. The shrine also hosts the annual Shinto ritual of Ukera-no-Shinji each year that marks the end of winter and celebrates the onset of spring in February.

Gojo Shrine

Address: 4-17 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan

Website: Gojo Shrine

Price: Free

6. Meiji-jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine in which the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, are enshrined. The shrine was built in 1920 and covers an area of 700,000 square metres (7,534,737 square feet). This shrine has about 170,000 trees in the forested area surrounding it, which provide a peaceful respite from the fast-paced life of Tokyo city outside. Visitors can offer their prayers at the main shrine, buy temple amulets and charms or take a stroll through the many forest pathways. The shrine’s gardens are also very popular for one can observe all the four seasons here through its varied plants, trees and animals. The attached Meiji Jingu Museum should also be visited.

Meiji Jingu

Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

Website: Meiji Jingu

Opening hours: 6:40am - 4pm (daily)

Price: Free

7. Asakusa Shrine

Situated in Tokyo’s popular Asakusa district is the Asakusa Shrine. This Shinto shrine is located right next to the popular Buddhist temple of Sensoji. It honours their common people who helped bring about the establishment of this small yet popular shrine. The main shrine, worship hall, several other auxiliary shrine buildings, a performance stage, a sacred tree, many statues and monuments make up Asakusa Shrine. ‘Sanja Matsuri’, one of Tokyo’s most important and spectacular festivals is also held at this shrine each May. Music, traditional dances, craft workshops, processions mark the celebrations of this festival.

Asakusa Shrine

Address: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan

Website: Asakusa Shrine

Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

8. Nogi Shrine

Also known as the Nogi-Jinjya shrine, this Shinto shrine is dedicated to a Meiji era educator and army general, Nogi Maresuke, and his wife, Nogi Shizuko, who took their own lives after Emperor Meiji’s death in 1912 in order to prove their loyalty to him. The shrine grounds offer views of the beautiful traditional architecture, vermillion torii gates and lush foliage. Visitors can roam the grounds of the shrine any time of the year but the general’s house located adjacent to the shrine is open for viewing only thrice a year. A flea market held here every fourth Sunday of the month is also a must-visit for all visitors. Nogi Shrine offers peaceful and tranquil surroundings where you can escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Nogi Shrine

Address: 8 Chome-11-27 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan

Website: Nogi Shrine

Opening hours: 6am - 6pm (daily)

Price: Free

9. Namiyoke Inari Jinja

Namiyoke Inari Jinja is a small Shinto shrine located just a stone’s throw away from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Market. The market’s guardian deity is enshrined at this temple and makes for a perfect stop on your way to or from the market. The massive lion heads (a male and a female) at this shrine are the guardians of the shrine and very interesting to look at. They are carried around in a procession during the Tsukiji Shishi Matsuri (Lion Dance Festival) held here. The raucous festival is colourful and eclectic with live music, dances, sacred floats, parades, etc.

Namiyoke Inari Jinja

Address: 6 Chome-20-37 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan

Website: Namiyoke Inari Jinja

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

10. Nezu Shrine

Located near Ueno Park in Tokyo, Nezu Temple is one of the city’s oldest shrines and an important place of worship for locals. It is best known for its Bunkyo Azalea Festival held in April each year when the thousands of azalea trees present in the garden of the temple are in full bloom. Visitors can access the shrine via a tunnel of vermillion-hued torii (traditional Japanese gate) and a koi (carp) pond, small shrine buildings, gates and halls are other points of interest here. Visitors can pay a small additional fee to visit the azalea gardens and take in the breathtaking beauty.

Nezu Shrine

Address: 1 Chome-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0031, Japan

Website: Nezu Shrine

Opening hours: 6am - 4:30pm (daily)

Price: Free

11. Atago Shrine

Dedicated to the Shinto god of fire, Homusubi no Mikoto, Atago Shrine in the Atago District of Tokyo is situated at the top of Mount Atago and can be accessed via a steep stone staircase. Beautiful scenery at the shrine awaits visitors in every season. Surrounded by thick foliage and said to provide a successful career, office-goers are often spotted at the shrine during their lunch break offering prayers and looking for a peaceful spot in busy Tokyo. The main shrine has traditional architecture and several other smaller shrines are located near it. A teahouse, several torii, animal statues, a golden koi (carp) pond, etc., are other prominent features of the shrine.

Atago Shrine

Address: 1-5-3 Atago, Minato City, Tokyo

Website: Atago Shrine

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

Price: Free

12. Tokyo Daijingū

Tokyo Daijingū is counted among the five major Shinto shrines of Tokyo and is dedicated primarily to the deities Amaterasu-Sume-Ohkami, the ancestral deity of the imperial family, and Toyouke-no-Ohkami, the guardian deity of industry, agriculture, housing, food and clothing. Due to its popularity as a place for finding a good partner and ensuring a successful marriage, young people constantly flock to this shrine. Many seasonal festivals are celebrated throughout the year here.

Tokyo Daijingū

Address: 2 Chome-4-1 Fujimi, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 102-0071, Japan

Website: Tokyo Daijingū

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Free

13. Hanazono Jinja Shrine

Located in the popular Shinjuku area of Tokyo, Hanazono Jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Inari Okami, Shinto god of worldly success. The shrine offers a peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the bustling metropolis of Tokyo. The large shrine has torii, a traditional main shrine building, small wooded park, and other small shrine buildings. It is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot and an ideal place for a romantic evening walk when the shrine is lit up. Several Japanese theatre artists, actors, singers, and dancers, can also be often spotted here.

Hanazono Jinja Shrine

Address: 5 Chome-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022, Japan

Website: Hanazono Jinja Shrine

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

Price: Free

Spiritual fervour in Tokyo

Besides being a bustling megacity and one of the most modern cities in the world, Tokyo still manages to retain its old-world charm in the form of ancient Shinto shrines. On your trip to this city, do remember to check out our guide to the must-see shrines in Tokyo, Japan.