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Nezu Shrine, Tokyo

Main hall of Nezu Shrine with green copper roof and red and gold lacquered front, seen along the stone path
Photo: Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free
Hours
Grounds by day; the azalea garden opens only during the spring festival
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Buildings
From 1705, Important Cultural Properties
Torii
A tunnel of red gates to Otome Inari shrine
Azalea festival
Early April to early May; the garden is paid
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Deity
Susanoo — god of the sea and storms
Getting there
Nezu or Sendagi stations (Chiyoda line) — 5 minutes
Coordinates
35.72023, 139.76072YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1705the shrine moved to its present site under Shogun Tsunayoshi
Sourceen.wikipedia
Oldestone of Tokyo's oldest places of worship
Sourceen.wikipedia
Like Nikkobuilt in the ishi-no-ma-zukuri style, like Toshogu shrine
Sourceen.wikipedia
Susanoothe chief deity — god of the sea and storms
Sourceen.wikipedia
Ten ShrinesNezu is one of the 'Tokyo Ten Shrines'
Sourceen.wikipedia
Azaleasthe blossom festival runs early April to early May
Sourceen.wikipedia
Otome Inarithe small shrine at the end of the torii tunnel
Sourceen.wikipedia
¥0to enter the grounds
Sourcetravel guides

What is Nezu Shrine?

Nezu is a Shinto shrine in Bunkyo ward, one of Tokyo's oldest places of worship and one of the 'Tokyo Ten Shrines'. Legend says it was founded in ancient times by the legendary Prince Yamato Takeru, and in 1705 the fifth shogun, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, moved it to its present site.

Its buildings are in the ishi-no-ma-zukuri style, like the famous Toshogu shrine in Nikko, and are listed as Important Cultural Properties of Japan: lacquered red-and-gold facades, copper roofs and a two-storey gate. The chief deity is Susanoo, god of the sea and storms. It's often called Tokyo's most beautiful shrine.

How the shrine works

Entry to the grounds is free. Through the big red torii and the two-storey romon gate you reach the main hall, surrounded by a lacquered gallery. To the left are the torii tunnel, the koi pond and smaller shrines. Speak quietly and keep out of areas where rites are taking place.

In spring, from early April to early May, the azalea festival takes place: thousands of bushes bloom on the slope behind the shrine, and all of Tokyo seems to come. According to guides, the azalea garden itself charges entry and opens only during the festival. The rest of the year the shrine is quiet and almost empty.

What to see

  • The tunnel of red torii on the hillside.
  • The main hall with its lacquered facade.
  • The two-storey romon gate.
  • Otome Inari shrine at the end of the tunnel.
  • The koi pond below the viewing platform.
  • The azalea garden — in spring, during the festival.

How to get to Nezu Shrine

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on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

  • Yanaka is about 16 min away on foot.
  • Ueno Park is about 21 min away on foot.

More tips

  1. Nezu station (Chiyoda line) — about 5 minutes on foot.
  2. Sendagi station (Chiyoda line) — about 5 minutes.
  3. Todaimae station (Namboku line) — about 5 minutes.
  4. From Yanaka — about 10–15 minutes on foot.
  5. From Ueno Park — about 20 minutes on foot via Yanaka.

Spring or any other time

Azalea festivalyou are hereEarly April to early MayHeavyOpen, paidQueues for photos
Rest of the yearAll yearLightClosedEmpty shots possible

How long do you need?

Allow 30–45 minutes for the shrine, about an hour during the azalea festival. It fits nicely into the Yanesen walk through Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi: start at Nippori station, walk through Yanaka and finish here.

Nearby are the cafés and shops of old Nezu. From here you can walk to Ueno Park or take the metro back to the centre.

Is Nezu Shrine worth visiting?

Yes: it's one of Tokyo's most beautiful and oldest shrines, with a torii tunnel and lacquered buildings, and few tourists.

The YesGo take: the shrine is small, and not worth crossing the city for on its own. Combine it with Yanaka, and in spring come for the azalea festival — then it's one of Tokyo's most colourful spots.

Before you go: checklist

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Tokyo temples and shrines: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Senso-ji511 hFree3.3 km
Meiji Jingu501 hfree; Gyoen garden paid7.4 km
Zojo-ji4240 minFree7.1 km
Nezu Shrineyou are here3930 minFree—
Yanaka361 h 30 minFree14 min walk
Gotoku-ji3245 minFree13.0 km
Mount Takao214 hFree47.9 km

The Yanesen walk and Ueno

Ueno Park in the morning, Yanaka in the afternoon and Nezu Shrine towards evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Ueno Park1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600
  2. 23 min walk from the previous stopYanaka1 h 30 min · free
  3. 14 min walk from the previous stopNezu Shrineyou are here30 min · free; azalea garden paid in spring

3 places · about 4 h 7 min with walks · 37 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Yanaka

Tokyo, Japan

1 h 30 min · free · 14 min walk

Ueno Park

Tokyo, Japan

1 h 30 min · park free; zoo ¥600 · 22 min walk

Tokyo National Museum

Tokyo, Japan

2 h · ¥1,000; students ¥500 · 25 min walk

Ameyoko

Tokyo, Japan

45 min · free · 29 min walk

How to do it right

  • The torii tunnel is empty in the morning.
  • Azaleas: early April to early May.
  • Combine it with Yanaka.
  • Speak quietly by the main hall.
  • Nearby: Yanaka, 10–15 minutes.

Questions

How much does Nezu Shrine cost?

Entry is free; the azalea garden charges during the festival.

When is the azalea festival?

From early April to early May.

How old is the shrine?

On its present site since 1705; by legend it's far older.

What is the torii tunnel?

A corridor of red gates up the hillside to the small Otome Inari shrine.

How do I get there?

About 5 minutes on foot from Nezu or Sendagi stations (Chiyoda line).

Who is the shrine dedicated to?

The chief deity is Susanoo, god of the sea and storms.

How long do you need?

30–45 minutes, about an hour during the azalea festival.

Is this the Nezu Museum?

No, the Nezu Museum is in Aoyama — a different place.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English Wikipedia: Nezu Shrine — 1705, architecture, Important Cultural Properties, deity, azalea festival, torii, Tokyo Ten Shrines
  • Shrine official site (nedujinja.or.jp) — address, azalea festival (in Japanese)
  • Travel guides — azalea garden fee, walking times (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q335612 — coordinates
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 09.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThe 1705 relocation, architectural style, Important Cultural Property status, deity, azalea festival, torii tunnel and Tokyo Ten Shrines are from Wikipedia. The official site is in Japanese only and its hours can't be read by script, so we say 'by day'. The azalea garden fee is from guides; we don't give an amount. Walking times are from guides.

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