Admission
- Adult (18+)Free
Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture
At a Glance
The shrine was founded in 1212 by a samurai who fled after his lord was assassinated, inspired by a dream where he received a glowing mirror from the god of war himself.
A 5,000-year-old Jomon settlement was discovered beneath the shrine grounds in 1950, and you can still see a reconstructed pit dwelling showing how Tokyo's first residents lived.
Stone lanterns along the path were donated by residents forced to leave when the Imperial Army built a massive training ground here in 1909—they're called 'Farewell Monuments.'
This shrine offers goshuin, but we don't have photos yet. Be the first to share yours!
Visit Duration
Standard (45-60 minutes)
Within 300 m Within 600 m
Follow the traditional worship etiquette by bowing once before entering through the torii gate, tossing a 5-yen coin into the offering box, ringing the bell, performing two deep bows, two claps while praying, and finishing with one final bow.
Visit during evening hours to experience the shrine's serene atmosphere when it's beautifully lit and remarkably quiet despite being close to busy Yamanote Street, with surprisingly few mosquitoes even among the dense trees.
Time your visit for the second or third weekend of September to experience the grand summer festival with traditional bon-odori dancing, where food stalls offer surprisingly reasonable prices and wearing a yukata is encouraged.
Don't miss the reconstructed Jomon period dwelling (竪穴住居) on the grounds, which marks the site of a 5,000-year-old settlement discovered in 1950, with excavated stone artifacts displayed in a small annex across from the main shrine.
The shrine has two entrances: the main approach features a significant staircase that can be challenging, but you can take a taxi to the back entrance for easier access while still experiencing the atmospheric front stairs on your way out.
If visiting with young children, bring a change of clothes as much of the shrine grounds are unpaved earthen paths, especially useful during festivals when kids might get dirty playing.
Facilities
Fascinating facts about this place
The shrine was founded in 1212 by a samurai who fled after his lord was assassinated, inspired by a dream where he received a glowing mirror from the god of war himself.
A 5,000-year-old Jomon settlement was discovered beneath the shrine grounds in 1950, and you can still see a reconstructed pit dwelling showing how Tokyo's first residents lived.
Stone lanterns along the path were donated by residents forced to leave when the Imperial Army built a massive training ground here in 1909—they're called 'Farewell Monuments.'
Despite being surrounded by dense forest in the middle of Tokyo, summer visitors report almost no mosquito bites thanks to the unique microclimate created by the hillside trees.
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