The Nezu-Jinja Shinto shrine is 1,900 years old, and its location is in the heart of Nezu, Tokyo. The first shrine was started by Takeru Nihon and built by Dokan Ota. This shrine was in Sendagi.
Tsunayoshi Tokugawa relocated and built the current shrine in the Edo period. All of the buildings on the grounds were built around 1706.
The shrine area is peaceful and tranquil. Whether feeding the Koi, painting a picture, or standing in a bed of azaleas, there’s always something to help you remain calm.
Location
Across the street from Nippon Medical School – Sendagi Campus.
28, Nezu 1-Chrome, Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan 113-0031
Website
Use Google Chrome so the browser can translate the Japanese language into your chosen language.
Deity (Kami)
Susanoo no Mikoto – a god that wards off evil, protector
Oyamakui no Mikoto – god of agriculture
Houda Betsumei – god of victory
Aiden Okuninushi – god of love, marriage, and fortune
Sugawara no Michizane – god of learning
Age
The shrine is 1,900 years old, according to the shrine’s website.
Buildings
Main Shrine
Coin Hall
Worship Hall
Karamon Gate
West Gate
Transparent Wall
Tower Gate
Tenka Festival
Each year on September 21st, the Tenka Matsuri (festival) comes to life. This festival has been a yearly occurrence since Toyko was known as Edo. The Kami (god) are taken around town in a Mikoshi (portable Shinto shrine) then to the festival area.
Read more about Mikoshi here.
The participants wear yukata and dance the Bon dance. Besides dancing, there are festival food and games.
The Tenka Matsuri is one of the largest festivals in Japan. Tokyo comes alive with bright lanterns, and one of the few times people can make all the noise they want.
Azalea Festival
In the spring, 3,000 azaleas begin to bloom. The best time to view these flowers is in April. With over one hundred varieties, the flowers are a fantastic sight to behold. Several types are rare, with the black azaleas incredibly rare.
Thousands of people from Japan and tourist from all over the world attend. They walk on a winding trail throughout the flower area.
Weddings
Nezu- Jinja is a popular place for weddings, especially in the spring when the azaleas bloom. Traditional weddings happen each weekend with everyone wearing a kimono. The ceremony is full of color, especially with the beautiful azaleas in the background.
Thousand Torii Gates
No visit to the Nezu-Jinja Shinto Shrine is complete without walking through the Torii gates. There is an opening in the middle of the gates with an outstanding view of the shrine grounds.
If you are tall, remember to duck your head unless you want a headache.
Koi
There are several water areas throughout the shrine grounds, and each one has thousands of Koi. Adults and children love feeding these fish that gladly participate in gulping down any food.
Read about another shrine here.
Have you visited the Nezu-Jinja Shrine? Let me know about your experiences in the comment section below.
Do you have questions about Shinto Shrines in Japan? Please place your questions in the comment section.
I have never been to Japan, but the country’s shrines and traditional architecture has always struck me as particularly beautiful. The way in which the structures and cultivated surrounding environments blend with the nature creates such a reverent atmosphere, as well as repose.
Are there any special considerations that a foreigner unfamiliar with local norms should keep in mind when visiting a shrine?
The Japanese overlook indiscretions when you’re a tourist because they know that you don’t know any better. If they know that you live in Japan they will frown or stare at you.
A few things to remember when visiting a shrine.
Don’t get in line ahead of others
Don’t be loud
Remember you are at a sacred place
If you make an offering you need to ring the bell, throw the money into the offering box, bow low, clap twice, say your prayer, and bow again. After that move to the side so the next person can pray.
Hi Michael. Thank you for very interesting article. I was planning trip to Japan for last year, yet due to covid I needed to postpone this for future. Yet I do hope to go there in next months and posts like this are extremely helpful. I never heard before about Shinto Shrine but its history and age are absolutely fascinating. Its like looking through window into deep past and I hope I will be able to see it on my won soon.
Shinto is one of the major religions in Japan so Shinto Shrines are everywhere. I would definitely advise you to visit one. Enjoy your trip and don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or you want to share your journey with others.
Hi Michael,
Japan is one of my bucket list destinations! I missed my chance a while ago when they hosted the Rugby World Cup me being a huge rugby fan , I would’ve liked to combine my two fav activities traveling and visiting and rugby. !
Well there will be other occasions!
One of the hard things to do when you travel and when you are maybe limited by time is what to visit and where to go first. You don’t want to miss out on some of the most important cultural locations and you want to learn as much as possible about the local culture !
Well thanks to your article when, because I will have to eventually visit Japan, I will plan my trip, The Shinto Shrine will be on my list !
Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, I’m glad you enjoyed the article.
I have done a lot of online research into the Nezu-Jinja Shinto shrine and I am definitely looking forward to a visit. It’s amazing to ponder just how long the shrine has existed and all the things that it has seen.
We have a lot of azaleas in our area for anyone who hasn’t seen a bunch of azaleas in bloom, it’s a magical thing (even without a shrine). If you can time your trip to see the azaleas bloom, you’ll be rewarded with a spectacular show from nature!
Azaleas are simply breathtaking when in full bloom.
I am so happy I have stumbled across your website. i would love to visit japan. Is it an expensive country to travel around? Also, is Covid still a problem or is everything opening up now? I don’t live that far away, I am in Vietnam. What would be the best times to travel and could you recommend a tour guide? Thanks in advance.
Stephen
Hello Steve,
Glad you enjoy the Travel and Japan website. Japan is a first world country so yes it cost quite a bit to travel around. The best way to save money is to buy a rail pass. Here is information about the rail pass. https://travelandjapan.com/jap…
Unlike most Countries, Japan has closed boarders. There is no information about when Japan will open again.
The best time to visit Japan is in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom. It’s a beautiful site and one you shouldn’t miss. It looks like you can read English so you shouldn’t have a problem getting around by yourself. Personal tour guides cost thousands of dollars.
If you plan your journey for several months you’ll have a great experience in Japan.
Michael
I know that place, I used to work in the hospital near that shrine, we often visit there. I loved that place
It certainly is a magical place. Full of butterflies and flowers. Thank you for sharing your adventure!