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Foreigners who live in Japan or tourists who are visiting for vacation, you don’t want to miss the traditional Japanese temples and shrines. Here are 10 recommended temples and shrines in Tokyo worth visiting at least once in your life such as Meji Shrine, Sensoji Temple, Gotoku Temple, Nezu Shrine, Tennoji Temple, etc.
Maybe you think Asakusa is the first place for sightseeing and there is a temple in this place as well.
Once you see these temples and shrines, you will be amazed with the spectacular architecture made of woods which existed for more than 100 years.
1. Meji Shrine at Meijijingumae
This is very famous shrine which Michelin selected as 3 stars of tourist spot.
Popular Points:
□ Popular spot for wedding ceremony.
□ Very easy access in Tokyo.
□ There is a power spot called “ Kiyomasa Ido Well” and if you picture and set the
picture as your smartphone wall paper, luck comes over to you.
Prayer Answered:
□ Harmonious Marriage
□ Marriage Tie
Name:
□ Meiji Jingu
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 5:00-18:30 (depends on the month so need to check the website)
Access:
□ (JR) Harajyuku Station with 2 min walk
□ (Chiyoda or Fukutoshin Line) Meijijingumae Station with 2 min walk
2. Sensoji Temple at Asakusa
Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple and representative for Asakusa. About thirty million people visit this temple every year.
Popular Points:
□ On the way to the temple, there are lots of food stall and souvenir shops.
□ There is an incense stick area and if you take the fog to your bad parts of your body, it will cure that parts.
Prayer Answered:
□ Economic Fortune
□ Good Luck for Life
Name:
□ Sensoji Temple
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 6:00-18:30
Access:
□ (Ginza Line) Asakusa Station with 3 min walk
3. Gotoku Temple at Gotokuji
Many of you may once see this cat and this temple is famous for the beckoning cat.
Popular Points:
□ Beckoning Cat. Right hand up means for an economic fortune and left hand up means for inviting many customers (entertainment business such as restaurants, hotels, etc.)
Prayer Answered:
□ Wish for the Safety of Your Family
□ Economic Fortune
Name:
□ Gotoku Temple
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 6:00-18:30
Access:
□ (Odakyu Odawara Line) Gotokuji Station with 10 min walk
4. Nezu Shrine at Sendagi
This shrine is famous as an important cultural property.
Popular Points:
□ During the term of April to May, about 3000 azalea are bloomed and famous spot.
□ Power spot and good luck fortune will get stronger.
Prayer Answered:
□ Matchmaking
□ Good Luck Charm
□ Academic Achievement
Name:
□ Nezu Shrine
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 6:00-18:30
Access:
□ (Chiyoda Line) Sendagi Station Exit 2 with 7 min walk
5. Tennoji Temple at Nippori
This is one of the temples which was famous for producing lottery in Edo Period. The other temples are Yushima Tenjin and Meguro Fudoryusenji Temple.
Popular Points:
□ One of the Yanaka Shichifukujin (God of Fortune) spot out of 7 places in Tokyo area.
This had started about 250 years ago and the oldest one in Edo Period.
Prayer Answered:
□ Good Fortune
Name:
□ Tennoji Temple
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 9:00-17:00
Access:
□ (Chiyoda Line) Sendagi Station with 15 min walk
□ (JR) Nippori Station South Exit with 2 min walk
6.Hie Shrine at Akasaka
This shrine was built 700 years ago and it represents the mountain God.
Popular Points:
□ Normally guardian dogs are placed at the gate on other shrines, but this shrine has monkeys which protect mountains.
□ If you visit this shrine in New Year Holiday, you can see real performing monkeys.
Prayer Answered:
□ Matchmaking
Name:
□ Hie Shrine
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 5:00-18:00
Access:
□ (Chiyoda Line) Akasaka Station Exit 2 with 3 min walk
□ (Nanboku or Ginza Line) Tameikesanno Station Exit 7 with 3 min walk
7. Tokyo Daijingu at Iidabashi
This shrine is the place that people had the very first time for Shinto style wedding in Japan.
Popular Points:
□ Good reputation as matchmaking especially for women.
Prayer Answered:
□ Matchmaking
Name:
□ Tokyo Daijingu
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 6:00-21:00
Access:
□ (JR) Iidabashi Station with 5 min walk
8.Yasukuni Shrine at Kudanshita
This shrine is famous as Japanese Prime Minister visited.
Popular Points:
□ There is military museum called “Yushukan” and it’s very popular.
□ The biggest Tori gate in Japan you can see before you enter the divine space.
Prayer Answered:
□ Good Fortune
Name:
□ Yasukuni Shrine
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 6:00-16:30
Access:
□ (Tozai, Hanzomon, Toeishinjyuku Line) Kudanshita Station with 5 min walk
9. Atago Shrine at Kamiyacho
If you want your career to succeed, you should check this shrine.
Popular Points:
□ There are steep staircase which is called “ Shusse no Kaidan” from the main gate.
This means social ladder. You should go up 86 stairs to visit the shrine.
□ You can see the Atago Mountain which is the highest one on 23 wards in Tokyo metropolitan. The shrine is located on the top of mountain.
Prayer Answered:
□ Career Success
Name:
□ Atago Shrine
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 9:00-17:00
Access:
□ (Hibiya Line) Kamiyacho Station with 5 min walk
□ (Ginza Line) Toranomon Station with 8 min walk
10. Hanazono Shrine at Shinjyuku
If you’re interested in show-business entertainment, you should check this shrine.
Popular Points:
□ There are lots of charms written by many show-business entertainers.
Prayer Answered:
□ Success for Show-Business
□ Bless with a Child
Name:
□ Hanazono Shrine
Offer Prayers Time:
□ 8:00-20:00
Access:
□ (JR) Shinjyuku Station East Exit with 7 min walk
□ (Marunouchi Line) Shinjyuku Sanchome Station with 3 min walk
Wish you all the luck and happiness!
YAE/ Japan
