Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Kamakura’s most famous shrine. It enshrines the spirit of Hachiman, the divine protector of Japan, its people, and of the Minamoto clan, which established the country’s first shogunate in Kamakura in 1185.

Taishakuten Daikyoji Temple

Shibamata’s most famous temple with a small Japanese garden and wooden carvings.

Nezu Shrine

One of the oldest shrines in Japan famous for the azalea festival in April

Hanazono Shrine

Tucked in behind the buildings of Yasukuni Dori, Hanazono Shrine is an Edo period shrine that acts as protector of the area. The Tori no Ichi Festival is held at the shrine every year in November.

Asakusa Shrine

One of the most important Shinto shrines in the country. Asakusa Shrine stands in the east of Sensoji Temple and was built in honor of the three men who founded the famous temple. The Sanja Matsuri, one of Tokyo’s three major festivals, is held in May each year to celebrates these three men.

Sensoji Temple

The centerpiece of the Asakusa area with origins dating back to 628 CE when two brothers found a statue resembling the Buddhist deity of mercy at the bottom of the Sumida River. The statue is said to be enshrined in the main temple building.

Hozomon Gate

Magnificent inner entrance to Sensoji at south end of the Nakamise shopping street. The original gate was built in 942 but was destroyed by fire in 1631 and then again in 1945 in the Tokyo air raids, having stood for over 300 years. The structure you see today was built in 1964. The statues either side of the gate’s southern face are guardians of the Buddha.

Kaminarimon

Kaminarimon (“Thunder Gate”) is the protector of Sensoji Temple. Fujin, the god of wind, and Raijin, the god of thunder, are enshrined on the east and west side of the gate, respectively. Pass under the gate and make your way up Nakamise. As you do, be sure to look up to see the wooden carving under the large red lantern.

Gotokuji Temple

Gotokuji (豪徳寺, Gōtokuji) is a Buddhist temple in Setagaya Ward known primarily because of the hundreds of maneki-neko…

Akagi Shrine

Kagurazaka was once the playground of Tokyo’s political elite and the role of Akagi Shrine was centered around…

Zojoji Temple

Zojoji (増上寺) is the the main temple of the Buddhist Jodo sect, with origins that date back to…

Yasukuni Shrine

The history of Yasukuni Shrine (靖国神社) as a site of enshrinement for the war dead extends all the…