Three Must See Shrines & Temples
Shrines and temples can be found in almost every neighborhood of Tokyo and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are small shrines tucked into tiny spaces in between modern buildings and there are large shrines that sit amidst vast gardens that were part of the estates where emperors and samurai warlords once lived. The shrines and temples of Tokyo all have their own unique beauty and history and would be a great additional to any itinerary. Here are three:
Meiji Jingu is the Shinto shrine dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji (1852 – 1912) and his consort, Emperor Shoken.(1850 – 1914) and is located in the Harajuku area of central Tokyo amidst an expansive forested area and in close proximity to a beautiful garden that the Emperor built for his consort. Pass under the impressive torii (gate) and meander down the peaceful gravel trail until you reach the impressive shrine precincts. (map)
The Senso-ji Temple, located in Asakusua and built in 645, is the oldest Buddhist temple in Edo (Tokyo’s former name). Pass through the Kaminarimon or "Thunder Gate" and pick up some souvenirs for your friends and family as you walk down the Nakamise-dori toward the temple. There are many interesting sites to see in this historic area of Tokyo so plan to set aside at least a half a day so that you can explore it at a leisurely pace. (area map)
Yasukuni Shrine was established in 1969 to commemorate and honor those that lost their lives in military service to Japan. On the grounds of this Shinto shrine is the Yushukan, a museum that houses over 100,000 articles including artwork, weapons and war memorabilia from Japan’s past. (access map)