Nezu Shrine

Yanaka is one of the best, undiscovered, Old Tokyo neighborhoods in town, filled with traditional shops and excellent shrines and temples.

The Nezu Shrine is my favorite shrine in Tokyo. I love walking through the long tunnel of orange torii gates, and in April the hills surrounding it are covered in blooming azaleas.

In the fall, the Japanese maples turn brilliant red and the gingko trees become towers of gold. — The shrine has three entrances, all marked by giant red lacquered torii gates

MainGate — Beyond the torii gate, the main gate is guarded by two fierce warriors on either side.

Courtyard — Recently restored, the main courtyard is a great example of red and gold lacquerwork.

A subshrine dedicated to the inari fox gods sits above the main shrine, connected to the tunnel of orange torii gates

ToriiTunnel — Walking through the long tunnel of orange torii gates is one of the great pleasures of visiting this shrine

In addition to having nice buildings, the hillside surrounding the Nezu Shrine is completely covered with azalea bushes, which burst into flaming balls of pink, white and purple at the end of April every year.

Yikes, how do they get them to bloom like this?

The koi pond looks especially nice when surrounded by riots of color

The Nezu Shrine is also gorgeous in November, when the autumn leaves reach their peak. The tall gingko trees turn brilliant yellow…

…while the Japanese maples rival the red of the shrine

On festival days like New Years, traditional entertainers like these taiko drummers perform at the Nezu Shrine. — On festival days, traditional entertainers like these taiko drummers often perform at the Nezu Shrine.

Shrine hours: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Admission: free

MAP

Just for fun, here are the eleven strangest shrines in Tokyo, with details on how you can enlist the resident gods’ superpowers.

Here’s more to do in the neighborhood, while you’re there:

Click here for more

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Jonelle Patrick is the author of five novels set in Japan

For three hundred years, a missing tea bowl passes from one fortune-seeker to the next, changing the lives of all who possess it…**read more**

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The Last Tea Bowl Thief was chosen as an Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense on Amazon

“A fascinating mix of history and mystery.” —Booklist

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