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[Tokyo ]7 recommended temples and shrines that you must keep in mind!

[Tokyo ]7 recommended temples and shrines that you must keep in mind!

2021-09-10 Management office

Tokyo is home to many temples and shrines, but there are also many unusual temples. From famous classic shrines to temples that you should definitely try, each has its own unique characteristics.
We will mainly introduce shrines that you should visit at least once if you come to Tokyo for sightseeing.
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Meiji Shrine



Meiji Jingu Shrine is a large and famous shrine with an area of about 700,000 m2 and 3 million visitors who come for Hatsumode each year. The grounds are planted with 170,000 different kinds of trees of about 230 species and are famous for being home to a variety of wild birds.
The Otorii, the largest gateway in Japan made of 1,500-year-old cypress trees, is a must-see. It is popular as a healing spot that appears suddenly in the middle of the city, but it is also famous as a power spot.

There are also benefits such as a marital camphor tree and a turtle stone!



The couple camphor trees are two large camphor trees in front of the hall of worship, and are called "husband and wife camphor trees" because they are growing so close together. The couple camphor tree is said to be beneficial for love fulfillment and marital bliss, just as Emperor Meiji and his wife were good friends. The stone shaped like a turtle is called "Turtle Stone" and is said to bring good luck for health and longevity. It is also recommended to make a wish on the turtle, which is said to bring good luck for work and money. The spring water called "Seisho well" is also called "dragon hole" and is said to bring good luck for money if you use it as a standby screen on your smartphone.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine)
Address: 1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8557
Phone number: 03-3379-5511
Hours of operation: 5:00 a.m. - 6:20 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Adults 1,000 yen/High school students and younger 900 yen/Free for elementary school students and younger
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This shrine is located in Shibuya Ward and is ranked number one every year by visitors for Hatsumode (New Year's visit). It is an oasis in the middle of the city with a site of approximately 700,000 m2.
URL:https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/

Sensoji Temple



Senso-ji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, is famous for the Thunder Gate with its statues of the Wind God and Thunder God.
The temple is so popular that it is always ranked among the top 10 temples in Japan in terms of the number of worshippers, and attracts many tourists on Hatsumode (New Year's visit). The temple is also said to be the birthplace of the beckoning cat, which is said to fulfill wishes and make all wishes come true, attracting many people who come to ask for divine help. The temple is also home to numerous national treasures, making it a lively tourist spot.

Lights up at night as well!



It is also lit up at night, allowing visitors to frame it with the Sky Tree seen beyond. The lighting is done from sunset to around 11 p.m., and can be seen beautifully even from a short distance away.
Nakamise-dori is also illuminated, and the Asakusa picture scrolls on the shutters are a must-see.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Sensoji Temple
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0032
Phone number: 03-3842-0181
Hours: 6:30 am - 5:00 pm (6:00 am - 5:00 pm from April to September)
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Senso-ji Temple, said to be the oldest temple in Tokyo, is famous for the Thunder Gate with its statues of the Wind God and Thunder God. It is a popular tourist attraction that is consistently ranked in the TOP 10 in Japan for worshippers.
URL:https://www.senso-ji.jp/

Tokyo Grand Shrine



The Tokyo Grand Shrine is famous as the Ise-sama of Tokyo, the god of marriage.
It has become very popular among young women as the most effective shrine for love. It is also the place where the first Shinto wedding ceremony was held, so it seems to be a place where one can receive some kind of blessing. There are many heart marks hidden in the shrine grounds, and every time you find one, you feel as if you will receive a blessing.

Very popular! Charm in the shape of a lily of the valley



The Suzuran-mamori is an amulet in the shape of a Suzuran (bell orchid), which is designed to symbolize the image of a bride. Inside the two orchids are two bells, which are meant to symbolize that the two of them are one.
The shrine is popular among women, with 80% of visitors being women.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Tokyo Daijingu (Tokyo Grand Shrine)
Address: 4-1, Fujimi 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0071, Japan
Phone number: 03-3262-3566
Business hours: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is now a famous tourist spot in Tokyo as the most beneficial shrine for love.
URL:http://www.tokyodaijingu.or.jp/

Masukamiji Temple



Located in the middle of the city with buildings and Tokyo Tower visible around it, Zojoji Temple, a family temple of the Tokugawa family, is famous as the god of luck in victory. It is also the 21st of the 33 temples of Edo, and is a popular tourist spot. It is said that six of the fifteen Tokugawa shoguns are buried here, making it a place very closely associated with the Tokugawa family. The site is often used for filming of foreign movies and TV dramas, and is a sightseeing spot that is well worth seeing. Due to its size, the large temple bell has been cast seven times, making it the largest in eastern Japan. It is often used for the relay of the New Year's bell.

Candle night on Tanabata!



The event is titled "Washi Candle Night: Milky Way" and features a light-up picture of the Milky Way with candles. Combined with the lights of Tokyo Tower, it creates a fantastic atmosphere.
It has also become famous as a spot where the Tokyo Tower can be seen beautifully lit up, even if it is not lit up at Zojoji Temple.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Zojoji Temple
Address: 4-7-35 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0011
Phone number: 03-3432-1431
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
I'll give the calculation:Treasure showroom Adult 700yen/Junior high school student 300yen/Elementary school student or less No material Tokugawa Shogun's tomb Adult 500yen/University student or less No material
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: With Tokyo Tower in the background, this temple is the resting place of six members of the Tokugawa family. The large temple bell is the largest in eastern Japan and is often seen on TV.
URL:https://www.zojoji.or.jp/

寛永寺



Founded by Tokugawa Iemitsu, Kan'eiji Temple is the resting place of six of the fifteen successive Tokugawa shoguns.
The entire Ueno Park used to be within the precincts of the temple, but it was destroyed by fire during the Ueno War and moved to its current location where a child temple was located. 2025 will mark the 400th anniversary of the temple's construction, making it a temple with a long history. The Ueno Daibutsu Pagoda, with only its face on display, is said to bring good luck in passing entrance exams because "it will not fall any further "and is crowded with worshippers every day.

Tokugawa family crests everywhere!



Since the temple is associated with the Tokugawa family, the family crest of the Tokugawa family is everywhere. This family crest is called "mitsuba hollyhock," and if you pay attention to it, you will notice that there are many of them.
It is recommended to look for it as it will make you feel like you are getting a good fortune.

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Kan-eiji Temple
Address: 1-14-11 Uenosakuragi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0002
Phone number: 03-3821-4440
Hours: 9:00 - 17:00 (varies according to events)
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Kan'eiji Temple is the resting place of six of the fifteen successive Tokugawa shoguns. The Ueno Daibutsu Pagoda is famous as a popular spot for students preparing for entrance exams because it will not fall any further.
URL:http://kaneiji.jp/

Tsukiji Honganji Temple



Built in 1934, Tsukiji Honganji Temple features an unusual design that overturns the image of Japanese temples. Not only does it have the appearance of ancient Buddhist architecture from India and other Asian countries, but it also incorporates a lot of stained glass and other elements to create an oriental atmosphere. The design of the temple was originally created by Chuta Ito, who traveled along the Silk Road to design this uniquely Buddhist temple.

The inside of the building is also nice!



The interior space and staircase also have a creative atmosphere. It also has a pipe organ, which is rare for temples, and has a unique design rarely seen in temples in Japan. It is an important cultural asset of Japan, so be sure to visit. It also has a cafe Tsumugi "Breakfast served on 18 bean plates "(1,980 yen) comes with porridge and 18 side dishes.

"Facility Information "
Name of facility: Tsukiji Honganji Temple
Address: 3-15-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045
Phone number: 0120-792-048
Hours of operation: 6:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: The temple is designed to match the ancient Buddhist architecture of India and other Asian countries, a design rarely seen in Japan.
URL:https://tsukijihongwanji.jp/

Atago Shrine



Famous for its abundant spring water, Atago Shrine is known as the god of fire prevention.
Located at the top of Mt. Atago, 26 meters above sea level, the temple is reached by a steep flight of stone steps known as "Succession Stairs. This staircase is called "Otoko-saka" (men's slope), and it is said to bring good luck for success in life. There is also a women's slope, which is more leisurely, so those who are not confident are advised to climb the women's slope first.
At 26 meters above sea level, it is the highest mountain in the area.

The view you see after the climb is also amazing!



After climbing the steep stairs, looking back you can see how steep you have climbed.
It is a little scary to imagine how steep the steps are, as they are 86 steps for men and 108 steps for women. Of course, there is no point to take a break, so show your manly spirit and run up all at once. It is a shortcut to success. Because of the spring water, there are many restaurants serving Jindaiji soba (buckwheat noodles).

"Facility Information "
Facility name: Atago Shrine
Address: 1-5-3 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0002
Phone number: 03-3431-0327
Hours of operation: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Closed: Open every day
Budget: Free
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: Located at the top of Mt. Atago, 26 meters above sea level, it is said that one can achieve success in life by climbing the stone steps of success in life, called Otokozaka.
URL:https://www.atago-jinja.com/

summary

From the Meiji Jingu Shrine to Sensoji Temple, which is a staple of Tokyo sightseeing, to the challenging Atago Shrine, the modern Tsukiji Honganji Temple, and temples associated with the Tokugawa family, each has its own unique features and attractions. We highly recommend that you take a sightseeing tour of the area.

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