Nezu Shrine, known as “Nezu Jinja” in Japanese, is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most famous Shinto shrines. It’s located in the Bunkyo Ward, a district known for its blend of historical and cultural sites.
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Location:
Nezu Shrine (Nezu Jinza) as the most beautiful shrine in Tokyo, located in Bunkyo Ward.
No doubt, it is a gorgeous shrine in Tokyo.
At the same time, it is one of the 10 Famous Shrines in Tokyo. These 10 famous Shrines are called Tokyo Jissha.
Besides, the shrine was marked as an Important Cultural Property, built following the Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine.
It is a hidden treasure for those who love tranquility away from busy Tokyo life. See the Nezu Shrine map above.
Moreover, it is a perfect place to hide a moment from busy life in the sense of purity under the tall trees, tori tunnel, and lush azalea bushes.
The shrine is famous for its Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival (Japanese) Tsutsuji Matsuri.
The shrine hosts the festival on its precinct from early April until early May and as one of the city’s most spectacular spring scenes.
Nezu Shrine is only 5 minutes walk from Nezu Station.
It is worth mentioning that a shrine’s goods-related souvenir shop is located on the opposite side of the Main Entrance. Visitors can buy souvenirs.
History:
According to legend, Yamato Takeru established Nezu Shrine in Sendagi, a little North of the current location, in the first century.
But on the occasion of choosing a successor, Ienobu, the fifth shogun, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa, moved the shrine to its current location in 1705.
Moreover, Tsunayoshi Tokugawa wanted people to remember that he chose a great successor, Tokugawa Ienobu.
In return, Tokugawa Ienobu made his deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto, his guardian deity.
Cultural Property:
Romon Gate, Karamon Gate, Sukibei Wall, and Honden are important cultural properties that were built in 1706.
Nezu shrine has three big Torii Gates. But the Main Torii Gate is on the Nezu station’s side in the north (North entrance).
So the tori gate is also familiar as North Approach.
Visitors see the beautiful Romon Gate soon after passing the Main Tori Gate. The gate is a two-story gate.
Romon Gate attracts tourists because of its height and colorful structure. In addition, the small bridge(divine bridge) in front of it makes the Romon more attractive.
After passing the small bridge, people go under Romon Gate. The gate has two giant statues of zuishin, kami warrior guardians.
The warriors are standing, holding bows and arrows.
Visitors arrive in front of Temizusha(handwash) after crossing Romon. After that, visitors have to pass another gate to the Main Hall.
It is a gorgeous Chinese-style gate, Karamon. The gate is attached to a lattice-windowed wall.
The wall is different from an ordinary wall. It has a roof.
Finally, visitors arrive in front of the Main Hall or Honden. It is essential to mention that a 200-meter lattice-windowed wall or Sukibei surrounds the Honden, marking the Main Hall as the holiest spot.
Besides, on the left, the lucky charm ticket counter is attached to the Main Hall.
There was a small place to hang the charms in front of the Main Hall and a lucky Charm ticket counter.
Others Features:
Nezu Jinja has a big boundary with many significant features.
However, some features attract tourists mostly.
As mentioned above, the shrine has a 6,600 square-meter Azalea garden, 1000 Tori gate tunnels, Otome Inari Shrine, and ponds.
1000 Tori:
Otome Inari Shrine and tunnel of tori gates are located on the right of the Main Hall, on the slope of the hill. These two features are impressive to tourists and worth taking several photographs.
The tunnel of tori gates starts from the Romon Gate. It is a small path through the small tori gates until halfway to the southern entrance.
While walking through the tori tunnel, a stair is seen on the right, from where the Main Hall looks more beautiful. After the gate, the tunnel reaches the Inari Shrine.
Otome Inari Shrine:
Otome Inari Shrine is one of the most popular spots of Nezu Shrine. It is located in the middle of 1000 Tori.
Fox Deity enshrines here.
It is a small shrine but looks very charming from down. The shrine is covered with Azalea trees.
The shrine looks even more alluring when Azaleas start blooming in early April every year.
Pond:
A stream-like long pond is situated between the Main Hall and Inari Shrine. It is a happy home to many lovely corps and turtles.
The reflection of the colorful tori tunnel and Inari Shrine on the pond’s water make visitors countless photos shooting.
Many bloggers mention it to be the main photographing place for tourists.
In addition, a small artificial stream flows under the divine bridge and connects the main pond Kamiike. Most of the Shinto Shrine make Kamiike.
According to Shintoism, Kamiike is considered very sacred.
Festival:
Hatsumode is a common biggest festival in Japan, including in Tokyo. All the shrines and temples celebrate the event significantly.
Apart from Hatsumode, Azalea Festival is the largest festival in the shrine.
However, Azalea Festival is the biggest and most important festival in Bunkyo City.
Azalea Festival:
Azalea Season: Early April – Early May.
There are about 3,000 Azalea on the Nezu Shrine premises. The garden is about 6,600 square-meter.
About 100 different kinds of flowers bloom from early April to early May.
During this time, Tsutsuji Matsuri or Azalea Festival is held in the Nezu shrine. This is the biggest Festival in Bunkyo Ward.
Varieties of Azalea flowers bloom simultaneously, which is a rare scene in Tokyo.
As a result, thousands of photographers line up to take photos every day. Moreover, everyone wants to take pictures of beautiful flowers.
But, of course, no one is hurried to walk through the garden.
At the same time, several news agencies, including TV channels, come to broadcast the beautiful scenery of the Azaleas.
Besides, the dramas are played to entertain the visitors.
Moreover, different types of shops, tea stalls, food stalls, and street performers can be seen on the shrine’s premises.
Visitors come for religious activities as well as to enjoy the Azalea flowers.
Visitors keep coming until the flowers start shrunken.
In a word, it’s really worth visiting Nezu Shrine any season of the year.
Admission: Free
Nezu Shrine opening hours:
6:00-17:00
Best time to visit:
Early April- early May during Azalea Festival
How to get to Nezu Shrine?
Nezu Station: Metro Chiyoda Line
5 minutes walk(Exit 1)
Sendagi Station : Metro Chiyoda Line
5 minutes walk(Exit 2)
Todaimae Station: Metro Namboku Line
5 minutes walk(Exit 2)
Address:
Nezu Shrine, 1-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0031
Tel: 03 3822 0753
Official Website:
Nezu Shrine (Japanese)