Japan is home to a lot of shrines. We have picked out 5 shrines you have to visit when travelling to Tokyo. All of them are close to the city centre, and not only are they easy to get to, each of them is also very famous.
Shinjuku: Hanazono Shrine, an oasis in central Tokyo
Hanazono Shrine is associated with food and agriculture, success, fortune, and family and company prosperity amongst other things. The closest station to it is Shinjuku-Sanchome Station where it is within mere seconds’ walking distance from the station’s E2 exit. An alternative route is from Shinjuku Station from which is just a 7-minute walk. The shrine is smack in the middle of Shinjuku and near the Shinjuku City Office and Shinjuku Golden Gai.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/134888
■Information
Hanazono Shrine
Address: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo
Shrine Office Times: 8:00-20:00
Praying Times: 9:30-16:30
TEL: 03-3209-5265
Access: Seconds from E2 Exit of Shinjuku-Sanchome Station via Tokyo Metro Line / 7-minutes on foot from East Exit of Shinjuku Station via JR, Odakyu and Keio Lines
Website: http://www.hanazono-jinja.or.jp
Harajuku: Onsen Shrine, home to the Shinto god of Harajuku and tied to beauty and marriage prosperity
Onden Shrine is located just a 10-minute walk from both Shibuya Station and Harajuku Station via the JR Yamanote Line or 7-minutes from Meiji-Jingumae Station via the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line. It has been enshrined in Harajuku for more than 400 years where it has watched over the area.
Onden Shrine is a site for blessings in things like marriage and beauty. It offers a lot of keywords particularly favoured by girls, so it’s definitely one to visit.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/96403
■Information
Onden Shrine
Address: 5-26-6 Jingumae, Shibuya, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3407-7036
Access: 10-minutes on foot from “Shibuya Station” or “Harajuku Station” via the JR Yamanote Line / 7-minutes on foot from “Meiji-Jingumae Station” via the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
Azabu-Jūban: Azabu Hikawa Shrine, the Sailor Moon holy ground
Azabu Hikawa Shrine which is located in the district of Azabu-Juban known for being referenced many times in the Sailor Moon series. The closest station is Azabu-Juban Station. Naoko Takeuchi, the author of Sailor Moon, actually lived in Azabu-Juban when the series was being serialised in Nakayoshi from 1991 to 1997. The shrine was used as a model for Hikawa Shrine where Rei, or Sailor Mars, worked as a shrine maiden.
The shrine is seen as lucky for many reasons. People pray there for increased luck, business prosperity, warding off evil, better fortune, success in life, wealth, safe childbirth, protection against misfortune, academic achievement, exam success, family safety, marriage, national security, and more.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/118472
■Information
Azabu Hikawa Shrine
Address: 1-4-23 Motoazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Time: Shop 9:00am-5:00pm / Shrine 9:00am-4:30pm
TEL: 03-3446-8796
Access: 8-minutes on foot from Azabu-Juban Station via the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line or Toei Oedo Line
Website: http://www.azabuhikawa.or.jp
Kamiyachō: Atago Shrine, climb the stone steps for success in life
You can reach Atago Shrine in 5 minutes by foot from Kamiyacho Station via the Hibiya Line or 8 minutes by foot from either Toranomon Station via the Ginza Line or Onarimon Station via the Toei Mita Line.
The fire god Homusubi no Mikoto is the main deity enshrined at Atago Shrine who not only offers protection against fire and fire-related disasters, but brings good fortune to businesses and marriages too.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/80038
■Information
Atago Shrine
Address: 1-5-3 Atago, Minato, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3431-0327
Access: 5 minutes by foot from Kamiyacho Station via the Hibiya Line / 8 minutes by foot from either Toranomon Station via the Ginza Line or Onarimon Station via the Toei Mita Line / 20 minutes by foot from JR Shimbashi Station
Homepage: http://www.atago-jinja.com
Asakusa: Imado Shrine, the birthplace of the ‘maneki-neko’ waving cat
The closest station to Imado Shrine is Asakusa Station. It’s about a 15 minute walk from there, but you can reach it quicker on the Megurin Bus for just ¥100. The shrine is popular power spot for successful marriage. The god of wealth and longevity and one of Asakusa’s Seven Lucky Gods, Fukurokuju, is also enshrined here. The shrine is also recognised as one of Tokyo’s 8 Shitamachi shrines that people make a pilgrimage to.
Full Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/111527
■Information
Imado Shrine
Address: 1-5-22 Imado, Taito, Tokyo
Opening Hours: 9am-5pm
TEL: 03-3872-2703
Access: 15-minutes on foot from Asakusa Station / 5-minutes on foot from Asakusa 7-Chome bus stop (浅草七丁目) via Toei Bus / 1-minute on foot from ‘Riverside Sports Center’ bus stop (リバーサイドスポーツセンター前) via Kita Megurin Bus in Taito
Website: http://imadojinja1063.crayonsite.net
Did you enjoy our list? Remember, all of them are super easy to access from central Tokyo and from tourist hot spots, so be sure to make your own pilgrimage around each of them while in Tokyo.
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■Tour Name
DEEP EXPERIENCE THE INAKA -TENRYUKYO・IIDA CITY-■Tour Summary
This is a special tour that allows inbound visitors to experience the traditional culture and beautiful landscapes of Minami-Shinshu. By participating, guests can leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind, appreciating the true essence of Japan by spending time in the quiet region of Tenryukyo, Iida City, Nagano Prefecture.◼︎Main Points
・A Three-day, two-night all-inclusive tour departing from JR Toyohashi Station with time spent in the Tenryukyo area in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture
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・Special snacks and drinks supervised by Yukimoto, a famous restaurant in Iida that was awarded Gold on Tabelog.
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・Experience traditional Japanese culture (mochi pounding, Fire Festival, Wayuraku, Ningyo Joururi, etc.)
・Stay in a farmhouse homestay to experience real life in the Japanese countryside◼︎Dates
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② January 12-14, 2025
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④ January 19-21, 2025
⑤ January 24-26, 2025◼︎Optional Menu
Dinner at ‘Yukimoto’
*Courses and drinks are not included in the tour price.◼︎Details/Contact
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NAKED GARDEN ONE KYOTO Ninna-ji
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