Nezu Shrine

Interesting facts

1. 1

   The shrine buildings are constructed in the traditional Gongen-zukuri architectural style, where the main hall and worship hall are interconnected under a single roof.

2. 2

   The complex features four structures designated as National Important Cultural Properties, all dating back to the Edo period in 1705.

3. 3

   Author Natsume Soseki lived in a rented house near Nezu Shrine, and the area occasionally appears in his classic Japanese novels.

4. 4

   The grounds contain a well known as the 'Burying Well' (Magome-no-ido), associated with historical local folklore.

5. 5

   The hillside azalea garden (Tsutsuji-en) contains approximately 3,000 plants representing roughly 100 different varieties.

6. 6

   Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi selected this site to relocate the shrine and dedicated it while establishing his heir's residence nearby.

Overview

Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo's oldest Shinto shrines, featuring a scenic hillside garden and a striking mini-Fushimi Inari torii gate tunnel. Established over 1,900 years ago according to legend, the current complex was constructed in 1705 by the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi. The shrine's main buildings—including the honden (main hall), haiden (worship hall), and karamon (Chinese-style gate)—survived the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II firebombing. This rare survival earned the entire shrine complex designation as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. It is renowned for its annual azalea festival held every spring, drawing visitors to its sprawling grounds filled with thousands of blooming bushes.

Insider tips

• Wear slip-on shoes since you will need to remove them if entering certain wooden structures or inner prayer areas.

• Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Nezu and Yanaka neighborhoods, which preserve an older Tokyo shitamachi atmosphere.

• Bring a wide-angle lens or smartphone equivalent to capture the winding perspective of the red torii gates.