Visit temples and shrines in Tokyo, Japan

The shrines and temples of Tokyo attract thousands of visitors each year. While many have been rebuilt since their founding due to fire, earthquakes or war, they still retain their splendor. Here are five of the best.

Zōjō-ji

San’en-zan Zōjō-ji is an important temple to Jōdo Buddhists. During the Tokugawa Shogunate, it was the burial site of six former shoguns, and today you can find those graves in the Taitoku-in Mausoleum or the cemetery out back, with two designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Parents also come here to choose a statue in the garden to decorate in order to say goodbye and ease their child’s transition to the afterlife. While businesses and surrounding enterprises have reclaimed much of the temple’s original property, it still retains much of its former glory and is worth a visit when in Tokyo.

Kanda Shrine

The iconic red Kanda Shrine, also known as Kanda Myojin, has played an important role in Tokyo Shinto worship since the Edo Period. The shrine is situated in downtown Chiyoda-ku, and the kami (spirits) enshrined here include two of the Seven Gods of Fortune, making this an ideal place to pray for wealth and success in business. Interestingly, due to its proximity to Akihabara, Kanda Shrine has also become popular with the tech crowd, who purchase charms to ward off damages to their electronics.

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Sensō-ji

Located in the historic Asakusa neighborhood, directly beside the famous Asakusa Shrine, Sensō-ji is the oldest and most visited temple in the city with visitors coming from both Japan and abroad. The path to the temple is lined with stalls, small shops and vendors selling traditional wares and snacks and is an area popular among tourists looking to dress up in kimono. The grounds of the Buddhist temple are also home to Chingo-dō, the Tanuki Temple. Tanukis are Japanese raccoon dogs thought to bring good luck and protect homes and businesses from fire and theft. You can access the Tanuki Temple via a separate entrance on Dembō-in-dōri.

Nogi Shrine, Shinto Shrine

In 1912, General Nogi Maresuke and his wife Shizuko committed ritual suicide in this spot after learning about the death of Emperor Meiji. The two are now enshrined here, and the general is worshipped for his honor and nobility. Having been designed in the 20th century and rebuilt after World War II, Nogi Shrine reminds us that not all shrines and not all kami must be centuries old in order to be worthy of worship.

Yasukuni Shrine

The Imperial Shrine of Yasukuni honors the souls of those who lost their lives in war while fighting for Japan. Unfortunately, the shrine-war memorial has become a source of controversy, especially among neighboring Asian countries, since many of those enshrined and honored here are listed as Class-A war criminals. Despite this, Yasukuni Shrine plays host to multiple religious and festival occasions throughout the year, including an annual spring festival and Mitama Festival, where visitors come to pray to their lost relatives and friends.

Source The Culture Trip