Nezu-jinja | Things to do in Tokyo

The seven shrine buildings including the sanctuary, the oratory, the offering hall, the lattice-windowed wall, the Chinese-style gate, two-story gate, and the west gate, in addition to a pair of bronze lanterns in front of the shrine building were all designated by the Japanese government as Important Cultural properties in 1931.

In the shine precincts is a long narrow path going up the hills, covered with many small vermilion tori gates. The torn gate of the shrine originally symbolizes entrance from the secular into the sacred.

They say that evil spirits will be driven out if worshippers pass through from north to south. The long torii-lined pathway leads to the small OtomeInari Shrine that overlooks the main shrine building.



Bungo-no-Ishi (Stone of the Literary Greats). Great writers of literature such as Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) and Mori Ogai (1862-1922) are said to have sat on the stone to get inspiration for their new work.

Nezu Shrine is famous for the Azalea Garden where about 100 varieties of 3,000 azaleas bloom on its spacious hillside garden. The Azalea Festival is held on the shrine grounds from early April until early May. The colors of azalea flowers range from light pink, to white, red and orange, creating a riot of color. The flowers also bloom in shapes and sizes.

Annual festive float is held in September. It is called the State Festival along with the Kanda and Sanno festivals. Shinto dances with music are performed the precincts of the shrine.

Address:1-28-9 Nezu,Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo

(Yamanote-line) Komagome Station → (Nanboku-sen) Todai-mae Station