8 Best Temples & Shrines around Ueno

Ueno is an area in Taito Ward, Tokyo, famous for its zoo, art museums, nature-rich park, and drinking districts under the elevated train tracks. With a Shinkansen station and close proximity to Tokyo Station, it's a popular tourist destination.

Many visitors combine their trip with Asakusa, and places like Ueno Zoo, the National Museum, and Ameyoko are bustling daily with tourists and locals alike.

The Ueno area is also rich in historical shrines and nature-surrounded spots. Particularly around Ueno Park, one of Tokyo's finest natural parks, there are many shrines within walking distance.

This article will introduce must-visit temples and shrines around Ueno, focusing on their highlights.

Many historically significant shrines exist around Ueno

The shrines around Ueno each have different roles and historical backgrounds, such as praying for peace or showing gratitude to the gods.

Therefore, each shrine has many points of interest and is perfect for understanding Japanese culture.

Furthermore, the festivals held to honor the gods who protect these shrines and are cherished by the people are also a highlight.

Shrines that usually have a calm atmosphere become wrapped in a festive mood during these times, so visiting during festival periods is also recommended.

Please enjoy experiencing both the present and past of Japanese culture, whether by taking a leisurely walk while reflecting on history or enjoying the bustling atmosphere of festivals.

Three shrines adjacent to Ueno Park that can be visited along with the park

Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Ueno Toshogu is a shrine within Ueno Park, built in 1627. It was constructed to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, a famous Japanese military commander, as a deity. It's located about 5 minutes on foot from JR Ueno Station's Park Exit.

The brilliant doors and roof befitting a military commander who left his mark on history remind visitors of Tokugawa Ieyasu's greatness.

Many people visit Toshogu to see the flowers that bloom in different seasons. Except for mid-winter, you can enjoy viewing beautiful flowers along with the shrine's architectural beauty at any time. If you want to enjoy both shrine architecture and elegant nature, please be sure to visit.

Here are the types of flowers and their blooming periods at Toshogu:
- January to late February: Winter peonies
- Early April to early May: Spring peonies
- Late September to late October: Dahlias

Facility Information:
Address: 9-88 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Winter (October-February) 9:00-16:30
　　　 Summer (March-September) 9:00-17:30
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3822-3455 (Office)
Official Website: https://www.uenotoshogu.com/index.html

Kan'ei-ji Temple

Kan'ei-ji is a temple in Ueno Park that survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake and the Pacific War. It was built during the Edo period, considered one of Japan's most prosperous and peaceful eras, to pray for the country's peace and people's happiness.

One of the highlights of Kan'ei-ji, located beyond the park's busy area, is its multiple related facilities spread across vast grounds.

In fact, Kan'ei-ji once occupied the entire area of what is now Ueno Park, but due to a war at the end of the Edo period, most of it became Ueno Park.

As a result, Kan'ei-ji's facilities, which originally spread throughout the entire area, are now scattered throughout Ueno Park. Facilities remaining from that time include the Ueno Great Buddha, the five-storied pagoda, and shogunate tombs.

Please explore Ueno Park and Kan'ei-ji to experience Ueno's deep history.

Facility Information:
Address: 1-14-11 Ueno-Sakuragi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed: Never
Official Website: https://kaneiji.jp/#gsc.tab=0

Gojo Tenjin Shrine

Gojo Tenjin Shrine is located about 10 minutes' walk into the park from Ueno Station's Park Exit. It was built by Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, a brave warrior who traveled throughout Japan to unify the country, as an expression of gratitude to the gods.

Gojo Tenjin Shrine is said to have two medical deities and is known for granting wishes related to good health and recovery from illness.

The shrine also holds an annual festival on May 25th.

Every few years, a grand procession is held where people carry a portable shrine (mikoshi) containing the deity around the Ueno Park area.

Please come and experience the lively spectacle of the festival amid the beautiful fresh greenery of spring!

Facility Information:
Address: 4-17 Ueno Park, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 6:00 (opening) - 17:00 (closing)
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3821-4306
Official Website: https://www.gojoutenjinsha.com/

Four Recommended Shrines Within Walking Distance of Ueno Station

Shitaya Shrine

Shitaya Shrine is the oldest Inari shrine in Tokyo, known for granting wishes for business prosperity and household safety. An Inari shrine is characterized by its red torii gates and fox statues (komainu).

The main highlight of Shitaya Shrine is its large red torii gate that suddenly appears amid the downtown streetscape.
After visiting, be sure to take a photo of the large torii gate from the shrine side.
When I took a photo using a retro-style filter app, I captured an intriguing image of the historic large torii gate blending into modern life.
When I look at this photo, I feel a warm atmosphere as if this large torii gate has been watching over the local people since ancient times.
Why not capture your own moment where Japanese history intersects with modern times?

Facility Information:
Address: 3-29-8 Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3831-1488
Official Website: https://shitayajinja.or.jp/

Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple

Marishiten Tokudaiji Temple is known for its statue of Marishiten, which is said to have been carved by Prince Shotoku himself, a great historical figure who shaped Japanese culture over 1,400 years ago. It has a unique location on the second floor of a building in front of the candy store "Niki no Kashi," just past Ameyoko shopping street.

Marishiten Tokudaiji is said to house a deity of good fortune, and it's believed that praying here will grant special wishes.

Specifically, it is said to:
- Bring both physical and mental health, and attract good fortune
- Provide support for overcoming difficulties and living a prosperous life

On sunny days, the contrast between the bright blue sky and the vibrant red shrine building creates an uplifting atmosphere.

Facility Information:
Address: 4-6-2 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Opening time: 6:30 Closing time: 18:30
Phone: 03-3831-7926
Official Website: https://marishiten-tokudaiji.com/

Yushima Tenmangu Shrine

Yushima Tenmangu is a shrine that enshrines the deity of learning. Known for granting wishes for academic success and passing examinations, it's a shrine that many Tokyo students visit at least once.

It can be accessed in about 2 minutes on foot from Exit 3 of Yushima Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line.

Beyond academic success, another highlight is the "Nade Ushi" (stroking cow) bronze statue. It's said that stroking the part of the statue corresponding to where you have health issues will improve your condition. I gently stroked the head several times, hoping to become wiser.

Be sure to get the shrine's goshuin (stamp), which features a beautiful paper-cutting art design of Yushima Tenmangu!

The shrine gets very crowded during the winter exam season, so if you want to visit quietly, it's recommended to come during other seasons.

Facility Information:
Address: 3-30-1 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3836-0753
Official Website: https://www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/index.htm

Akiba Shrine

Akiba Shrine was built in 1870 to enshrine three deities (gods of fire, earth, and water) after multiple fires occurred in the area.

The red exterior, themed after "fire," is dignified and impressive. In contrast, the atmosphere is quiet, with gentle breezes making it a peaceful place to spend time.

Perhaps due to this atmosphere, local people visit this shrine to confide their worries and seek tranquility.

One of the highlights is the sight of the brave guardian lion-dogs (komainu) placed at the entrance to ward off evil spirits and protect the deity.

Within walking distance from Inaricho Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Iriya Station on the Hibiya Line, it's recommended to visit while sightseeing in the Ueno/Asakusa area.

Facility Information:
Address: 3-10-7 Matsugaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Information not available
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3844-5748

The Asakusa Area Adjacent to Ueno Also Has Many Historical Temples and Shrines

Senso-ji Temple

Senso-ji is a famous temple known as Asakusa's most popular tourist destination. With nearly 1,400 years of history, it's a temple dedicated to Kannon, a deity who is said to grant all types of wishes rather than specific ones.

The recommended time to visit is at night when you can take social media-worthy photos. The large lantern with "Kaminarimon" written on it, the jet-black sky, and the red temple buildings illuminated create a solemn atmosphere that emanates a mysterious power.

When visiting Senso-ji, try drawing an omikuji (fortune slip) inside the temple hall to experience the Japanese culture of fortune-telling and see what luck your journey might bring.

My friend who visited Asakusa for the first time was extremely excited, saying "Everything is worth seeing!" - from the Nakamise-dori shopping street lined with stores all the way to the temple, to the mystical nighttime illumination of Senso-ji.

Facility Information:
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Opens at 6:30 AM from October to March)
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3842-0181
Official Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/

Asakusa Shrine

Asakusa Shrine is quietly nestled in a corner near Senso-ji Temple, about a 7-minute walk from Asakusa Station. Due to the bustling atmosphere of the neighboring Senso-ji, the shrine feels even more serene in contrast. With relatively fewer visitors, you can experience a peaceful, typical shrine atmosphere.

The main highlight of Asakusa Shrine is undoubtedly the Sanja Matsuri festival. Held for three days during a mid-May weekend, the Sanja Matsuri is one of Japan's representative festivals, often featured in news coverage.

During this festival, portable shrines (mikoshi) are paraded through the streets of Ueno, creating a bold and vibrant atmosphere while retaining an Edo-period feel.

While usually quiet, Asakusa Shrine becomes extremely crowded during this time, with hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting. The shrine's lively atmosphere during the festival is also appealing. If you're visiting Tokyo in May, experience this festival when Asakusa, a town retaining Japanese traditional atmosphere, is at its most energetic.

Facility Information:
Address: 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3844-1575
Official Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/

Higashi Honganji Temple

Higashi Honganji is a historic temple about a 10-minute walk from Asakusa Station. The main highlight is the enormous principal image (honzon) carefully placed at the very back of the main hall. A honzon is the primary object of worship placed at the center of temples and Buddhist altars, serving as a spiritual focal point.

Interestingly, despite being made of wood, this honzon has survived numerous fires throughout history, making it particularly precious. Standing before this dignified honzon that has overcome many challenges, I found my posture naturally straightening and my spirit becoming more focused.

Also, Higashi Honganji's goshuin (temple stamp) is uniquely simple compared to other shrines, featuring only the temple's name, the visit date, and the temple's stamp.

Among the many colorful and cute goshuin designs, its simplicity stands out and is one of my favorites as it reflects the temple's dignity.

Facility Information:
Address: 1-5-5 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 07:00 to 16:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-3843-9511
Official Website: https://www.honganji.or.jp/