Tucked into the old, atmospheric streets between Nezu and Sendagi, Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most beautiful Shinto shrines — and one of its best-kept secrets. With its richly colored buildings, a hillside tunnel of vermilion torii gates, and a famous garden that erupts with azaleas each spring, it offers the beauty of Kyoto’s celebrated shrines without the crowds. It’s a serene, photogenic gem in the city’s charming northeast.
A Historic Shrine
Said to have been founded some 1,900 years ago and rebuilt in its current form in 1706, Nezu Shrine is a rare survivor, its ornate main buildings having escaped the fires and disasters that destroyed so much of old Tokyo. The elegant gabled architecture, painted in deep reds and golds, is a wonderful example of the lavish style of the Edo period, and the whole complex is designated an Important Cultural Property.
The Torii Tunnel
One of the shrine’s most photographed features is its row of closely packed vermilion torii gates, which form a glowing tunnel winding up a small hillside. Reminiscent of the famous gates at Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari but on an intimate, manageable scale, it’s a magical spot to walk through and photograph — and far quieter than its famous cousin.
The Azalea Festival
Nezu Shrine is most famous for its spectacular azalea garden, home to thousands of bushes of dozens of varieties. In April and May they burst into a breathtaking blanket of pink, red, white, and purple, and the shrine hosts a popular Azalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri) with food stalls and crowds of admirers. It’s one of the loveliest spring sights in Tokyo.
The Old Neighborhood
Part of the joy of Nezu is its setting. The surrounding Nezu and Sendagi districts — together with neighboring Yanaka, forming the area known as “Yanesen” — are full of narrow lanes, traditional houses, old shops, and a wonderfully nostalgic, local atmosphere. It’s a perfect area to wander slowly and discover a gentler, older side of the city.
Planning Your Visit
Nezu Shrine is a short walk from Nezu or Sendagi stations on the Chiyoda metro line. Entry to the shrine grounds is free (a small fee applies to the azalea garden during the festival). It’s beautiful year-round but truly special in azalea season — visit on a weekday morning to enjoy it at its calmest. Combine it with a stroll through Yanaka for a perfect old-Tokyo day.
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