20 Shrines in Tokyo worth your time

A historic shrine dedicated to the god of sports, famous for its warrior festival and unique nail-less portable shrine.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded in 665 by Fujiwara no Kamatari in the Kameido district.
• Dedicated to the deity Futsunushi no Kami and known for promoting success in sports.
• Site where Fujiwara no Hidesato offered a bow after defeating Taira no Masakado.
• Home to a 1999 monument commemorating the local cultivation of Kameido radishes.

What to see

• The main torii gate located along Kuramaebashi Street.
• A shopping street called Kameido Katori Katsuun that serves as the shrine approach.
• The Konnyaku Mikoshi, a rare portable shrine built entirely without nails or metal fittings.
• One of only two nail-less portable shrines currently existing in Japan.

When to go

• Visit during the Katsuya Festival to see a two-kilometer procession of warriors.

Getting there

• The shrine is a ten-minute walk from Kameido Station.

Official site

www.kameido-katori.com

Read more about Katori Shrine

A historic Shinto shrine founded in 709, offering a quiet space with multiple sub-shrines and an 1828 stone guidepost.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded by Fujiwara no Isedo in the year 709
• Formerly known as Kifune Daimyojin until the name changed in 1803
• The grounds feature a specific shrine crest known as Gionmori
• Admission to the shrine grounds is free of charge for all visitors

What to see

• A stone Buddhist guidepost dating back to 1828 stands on the grounds
• The Mitsushio Shrine and Mitsugi Inari Shrine located within the precinct
• The Oyamatsumi Shrine and the Soreisha memorial shrine
• Traditional architecture housing the various sub-shrines on the property

Getting there

• A ten minute walk from Osaki Station to reach the shrine
• An eleven minute walk from Shimoshinmei Station for visitors

Read more about Kifune Shrine

A local Shinto shrine marking a former village enclave, situated in a green residential district near the Tama River.

What it is

• A religious facility located in the Komai-machi district of Komae City.
• A shrine dedicated to the former village of Syukugawara.
• The site marks an area incorporated into Komae in 1912 after a flood.
• A landmark within a designated agricultural hub with fertile alluvial soil.

What to see

• A traditional shrine structure situated near the north bank of the Tama River.
• A residential neighborhood featuring a green coverage rate exceeding thirty percent.
• Flat terrain characteristic of the local Tama River floodplains.
• The boundary area between Tokyo and Kawasaki City in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Getting there

• Take an Odakyu bus line from Komae Station to reach the shrine area.

Read more about Syukugawara Inari

A historic 18th-century shrine in Tokyo dedicated to the deity of wealth, visited by a future Shogun for success.

What it is

• Established in 1783 with the Oshima family serving as hereditary Shinto priests.
• Dedicated to the primary deity Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, also known as Shusse Daikoku.
• Tokugawa Ienari visited this site before he became the Shogun.
• The shrine exists to house a sacred object depicting Daikoku sitting on rice bales.

What to see

• A sacred object featuring the deity Daikoku positioned on bales of rice.
• Wooden Daikoku statues that are distributed to visitors on specific calendar days.

When to go

• Visit on Kinoene days when special wooden statues are distributed.

Getting there

• The shrine is a two-minute walk from Komagome Station.

Read more about Daikoku Shrine

A historic Shinto shrine founded in 1457, featuring ancient stone artifacts and traditional cultural performances in Nerima Ward.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
• Founded by Shibukawa Yoshikane in 1457 and moved to this site in the 1740s.
• The local town name Hikawadai originates from this specific shrine.
• Commonly known by the name Ohikawa among local residents.

What to see

• A historic stone torii gate dating back to 1775.
• The oldest stone guardian dogs located within Nerima Ward.
• A square stone water basin created in 1747.
• The Tsuru no Mai dance, a designated cultural property.

When to go

• Annual festivals are held every April and September.

Getting there

• Located a five-minute walk from Hikawadai Station.

Read more about Hikawa Shrine (Nerima-ku)

A historic Shinto shrine in Osaki featuring a scenic Fujizuka and a cultural property dedicated to Yamato Takeru.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine dedicated to the deities Yamato Takeru and Okuninushi.
• Relocated to its current site in Osaki during the Edo period.
• Renamed in 1872 after previously being known as Kijinomiya and Gosha Myojin.
• The current main building was reconstructed in 1978 after wartime destruction.

What to see

• A Fujizuka mound designated as a Shinagawa scenic spot.
• The Itsukushima Shrine on the grounds, a designated tangible cultural property.
• The main shrine building reconstructed in the late twentieth century.
• Open precinct grounds available to visitors free of charge.

Getting there

• Located a five minute walk from Osaki Station.

Read more about Irugi- Shrine

Ōji Inari-jinja is a historic shrine in Tokyo, known for its fox legends and cultural heritage.

What it is

• A shrine in Tokyo, formerly known as Kishi Inari.
• Minamoto no Yoritomo made a dedication in 1184.
• Dedicated to Ukanomitama-no-kami, Ukemochi-no-kami, and Wakumusubi-no-kami.
• Known as the Sōshi of Inari in 33 eastern provinces.

What to see

• The shrine was famous for foxfire during the Edo period.
• Utagawa Hiroshige depicted it in 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo'.
• Possesses cultural properties by Shibata Zeshin and Tani Bunchō.
• Shōzoku Inari Shrine is on the site of the Shōzoku Enoki tree.

When to go

• Kite Market on the first, second, and third Day of the Horse in February.
• The Oji Fox Parade event started in 1993.

Read more about Ōji Inari-jinja

A historic guardian shrine of Itabashi-shuku featuring a cultural property Fujizuka mound and a reinforced concrete main building.

What it is

• Founded around 1206 by Toyoshima Tsune-yasu to serve as a local guardian.
• Dedicated to the deities Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Inadahime-no-Mikoto.
• The current main building was reconstructed in 1958 using reinforced concrete.
• Serves as a spiritual center for nineteen local neighborhoods in Itabashi.

What to see

• A Fujizuka mound built in 1855 representing a miniature Mount Fuji.
• The main shrine building completed in September 1958 after wartime destruction.
• A registered cultural property of Itabashi Ward located within the grounds.

When to go

• The annual festival is held every year on September 10.

Official site

hikawa-jinja.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Hikawa Shrine

Ogu Hachiman Shrine is a historic Tokyo shrine dedicated to Emperor Ojin, offering a glimpse into local heritage.

What it is

• A shrine in Nishi-Ogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo.
• Dedicated to Emperor Ojin, a deified emperor.
• Shrine building was constructed in 1385.
• Tutelary shrine for former local villages.

What to see

• Itsukushima Shrine, a subsidiary shrine.
• Kami-Ogu Village Map, a cultural property.
• Hachiman Shrine munafuda, a cultural property.
• Chozubachi, a registered cultural property.

When to go

• Main festival is the first Saturday and Sunday of August.
• Grand festival occurs once every four years.

Getting there

• Accessible from Miyanomae Station.
• Miyanomae Station is on the Toden Arakawa Line.

Address

東京都荒川区西尾久3-7-3 Map

Read more about Ogu Hachiman Shrine

Ōkunitama Shrine, founded in 111 AD, is a historic Tokyo shrine with ancient trees and a famous festival.

What it is

• Sōsha shrine of Musashi Province.
• One of the Tokyo Goshagroup of five shrines.
• Also called Rokushomiya, enshrining six provincial shrines.
• Founding is dated to 111 AD.

What to see

• Keyaki trees on Baba Daimon are a national natural monument.
• Main hall was built in 1667.
• Wooden komainu statues are Important Cultural Properties.
• Shrine grounds are part of the Musashi Provincial Office ruins.

When to go

• Main festival is the Kurayami Matsuri.
• Kurayami Matsuri is a Tokyo Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Getting there

• 2-minute walk from Fuchu-Honmachi Station.

Address

東京都府中市宮町3-1 Map

Official site

www.ookunitamajinja.or.jp

Read more about Ōkunitama Shrine

Hirai Suwa Shrine: a historic local shrine with cultural properties, easily accessible from Hirai Station.

What it is

• Founded between 1716 and 1735.
• Keiyu Hoin invited a divided spirit.
• Ranked as a village shrine in 1872.
• Merged with Shisho Shrine in 1933.

What to see

• Current shrine building constructed in 1969.
• Old main shrine became Inari Shrine building.
• Old worship hall became Akainari Shrine building.
• Old main hall is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.
• Hirai no Fujizuka is a Registered Tangible Folk Cultural Property.

When to go

• 300th anniversary festival held in 2009.

Getting there

• Five minutes walk from Hirai Station.
• Hirai Station is on the JR Sobu Line.

Address

東京都江戸川区平井6-17-36 Map

Read more about Hirai Suwa Shrine

Historic shrine on a hill, offering city views and ancient trees.

What it is

• Ancient Hachiman shrine, founded around 1030.
• Formerly known as Myoken Hachiman and Ikenoya Hachiman.
• Registered religious corporation is Hachiman Shrine.
• Minamoto no Yorinobu enshrined Hachiman here.

What to see

• Shrine grounds on a small hill, possibly a kofun site.
• View from the grounds is a Shinagawa Hyakkei selection.
• Daikokuten enshrined as one of the Ebara Shichifukujin.
• Large chinquapin tree is a designated cultural property.
• Inari Shrine and Koshin Shrine are auxiliary shrines.

Getting there

• 8-minute walk from Nishi-Koyama Station.
• 8-minute walk from Senzoku Station.

Address

東京都品川区荏原7-5-14 Map

Read more about Koyama Hachiman Shrine

Hikawa Shrine is an ancient Tokyo spiritual site worth visiting for its serene atmosphere and traditional architecture.

What it is

• Ancient shrine in Shibuya-ku, also called Hatagaya Hikawa Shrine.
• Dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Toyouke Hime-no-Mikoto, and Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto.
• Mentioned in documents from the Eiroku era (1558-1569).

What to see

• Main shrine rebuilt in 1956.
• Main shrine made of cypress wood with a copper plate roof.

When to go

• Grand festival is held on September 24th.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Gochome Station.
• 15-minute walk from Hatagaya Station.
• 1-minute walk from Honmachi Gochome bus stop.
• 3-minute walk from Yayoi-cho Sanchome bus stop.

Address

東京都渋谷区本町五丁目16番2号 Map

Read more about Hikawa Shrine (Shibuya-ku)

A historic Inari shrine founded in 1614 featuring Edo-period architecture and cultural properties within a short walk from Ayase Station.

What it is

• Founded in 1614 by Kaneko Gohei after he settled the local area.
• Dedicated to the deity Inari and formerly known as Gohei Shrine.
• Renamed to its current name in 1967.
• Located in the Adachi Ward of Tokyo.

What to see

• The main hall which dates back to 1843.
• A modern worship hall constructed in 1982.
• Two Koshin towers designated as tangible cultural properties.
• Smaller branch shrines dedicated to Asama and Mitsumine.
• Performances of Gohei Kasai Hayashi, a registered intangible cultural property.

Getting there

• Located a seven minute walk from Ayase Station.

Read more about Ayase Inari Shrine

Historic Tokyo shrine dedicated to learning, with unique cultural properties, easily accessible by subway.

What it is

• Shrine founded in 1478 by Ota Dokan.
• Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, god of scholarship.
• Served as a place of prayer for the Tokugawa and Ii families.
• Moved to its current location in 1606 by Tokugawa Hidetada.

What to see

• Main hall, rebuilt in 1969.
• Designated cultural property: a bronze torii.
• Designated folk cultural property: a power stone.
• Designated folk cultural property: komainu (guardian dogs).

When to go

• Various annual festivals are held here.

Getting there

• 1-minute walk from Hanzomon Station.
• 3-minute walk from Kojimachi Station.

Address

東京都千代田区平河町1-7-5 Map

Read more about Hirakawa-tenmangu

Shinmei Shrine: a tranquil Tokyo sanctuary with a preserved forest and historic gates.

What it is

• Guardian deity of the former Funabashi Village.
• Enshrines Amaterasu Sumera Okami.
• Also enshrines Ukanomitama-no-mikoto and Amenokoyane-no-mikoto.

What to see

• Stone torii gate built in 1839.
• Main shrine rebuilt in 1992.
• Main shrine is reinforced concrete Shinmei-zukuri style.
• Shrine grounds are over 3,200 square meters.
• Shrine forest is a preserved forest by Setagaya Ward.

When to go

• Annual festival is on the last Sunday of September.

Getting there

• 18-minute walk from Chitose-Funabashi Station.
• Accessible by bus from Chitose-Funabashi Station.

Address

東京都世田谷区船橋4-40-17 Map

Read more about Shinmei Shrine

This two-thousand-year-old shrine on Mt. Mitake is a pilgrimage site for mountain training and wolf veneration.

What it is

• Pilgrimage and ascetic mountain training destination.
• Located at the peak of Mt. Mitake (929 m).
• Enshrines wolf deity Okuchimagami and Zao Gongen.
• Founded two thousand years ago.

What to see

• Treasure Hall with swords and armor.
• Wolf statues guarding shrine buildings.
• Painting of the wolf legend in the worship hall.
• Daidai Kagura performance hall.
• Tokiwa Kakiwasha, a black and gilded shrine.
• Elaborately carved shrine dedicated to the wolf deity.

When to go

• Kagura performances held between June and November.
• Mountain training courses several times a year.

Address

東京都青梅市一御岳山 Map

Official site

musashimitakejinja.jp

Read more about Musashi Mitake Shrine

A historic 17th-century shrine in Sumida known for unique konnyaku charms believed to heal throat ailments.

What it is

• A Shinto shrine founded in 1614 by a practitioner from Mount Yudono.
• Dedicated to the deity Haguro Okami and commonly known as Konnyaku Inari.
• Established as a place of worship in the Sumida area of Tokyo.

What to see

• Special konnyaku charms distributed to visitors for curing throat ailments.
• Traditional medicinal charms that are intended to be boiled and consumed.

When to go

• Visit on the first Day of the Horse to receive special konnyaku charms.

Getting there

• The shrine is a ten minute walk from Keisei Hikifune Station.

Read more about Miwasato Inari Shrine

Sumiyoshi Shrine, founded by fishermen, offers a glimpse into Tokyo's maritime history and unique architecture.

What it is

• Founded in 1646 by fishermen from Tsukuda and Owada villages.
• Dedicated to Sumiyoshi Sanjin, deities of the sea.
• Also enshrines Okinagatarashihime-no-mikoto and Ozumaterumioya-no-mikoto.

What to see

• An octagonal portable shrine is among its treasures.
• Six subsidiary shrines are located on the grounds.
• Ceramic plaque on the torii gate has calligraphy by Prince Arisugawa-no-miya Taruhito.
• Several designated cultural properties of Chuo-ku are here.

When to go

• Festival features a boat procession.
• Six large, 20-meter banners are erected during the festival.

Address

東京都中央区佃一丁目1-14[1] Map

Official site

www.sumiyoshijinja.or.jp

Read more about Sumiyoshi Shrine

A post-war shrine in Tokyo, dedicated to three kami, with unique stone carvings.

What it is

• Founded on November 15, 1949, after World War II.
• Created by merging five shrines destroyed in 1945 air raids.
• Enshrines Amaterasu Sumera Ōkami, Ushijima Ōkami, and Inari Ōkami.

What to see

• The main shrine building, constructed in 1952.
• Chikaraishi, Kōshintō, and stone pagodas.
• A Daikoku-sha built in the Reiwa era.
• Two Daikoku statues housed within the Daikoku-sha.

When to go

• The shrine celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019.

Getting there

• A 7-minute walk from Higashi-Ōjima Station.
• Parking is available on the grounds.

Address

東京都江東区大島7-24-1 Map

Read more about Higashi Ōjima Shrine