I visited Nezu Shrine in February, and the atmosphere was incredibly peaceful with very few people around. The weather was pleasantly cool. Inside, there are several spots for worship, and a key highlight is the long path lined with torii gates, which leads to the back of the shrine. At the end, there are restroom facilities available.
Along the torii path, you’ll also find a small Japanese garden with a waterfall, creating a serene and beautiful setting. I highly recommend visiting if you want a quiet escape from the city. It’s conveniently located near the University of Tokyo.
Beautiful shrine during the azaleas 🌺 season (end of April beginning of may) but very overcrowded… Go there very early in the morning (when it opens). I also got the Goshuin (500¥ for the stamp) but they only gave the printed version out so I’m kind of disappointed 😞 There are a lot of food stalls on site so you can also eat there if you want. I didn’t pay to walk through the Azalea Garden and still got really nice pictures, plus the queue is way to long.
Taken today 4/27/2025 around 9:30AM (garden opening time) Lines get soooo long and it was crazy crowded just before opening. So better go by 9 or before and start queuing. We got there at 8:30 (didn’t know the gardens opened at 9:30) but we were in front of the line which was great cause we could get out sooner.
A 5min walk from Nezu Station
Entrance fee: ¥500 😬😬
There are hundreds of Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Tokyo, but the ones you hear the most about are Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa and Meiji-jingu in Shibuya. If Meiji-jingu is the Marcia Brady of shrines and Senso-ji is the Cindy Brady of temples, then Nezu Shrine is definitely poor, overlooked Jan Brady. "Meiji! Meiji! Meiji!" Personally I had never heard of Nezu before.
My husband and I only discovered this somewhat hidden shrine on a random walk we took from Ueno Park to Yanaka Ginza. The first thing we noticed was how tranquil the grounds were compared to Marcia and Cindy, I mean, Meiji-jingu and Senso-ji. Apparently, spring brings an explosion of azaleas, but we mostly missed it. Much like when Jan missed making the final cut during cheerleader tryouts.
The shrine's history dates back 19 centuries and has remained relatively intact through earthquakes, world wars, and climate change. They have quite an extensive tunnel of vermillion torii gates. Not as impressive as Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, but it still made for a prime Instagram moment as did all the stone statues of foxes serving as protectors of the shrine and messengers of prosperity. So I guess the foxes would be like the guardians of the Brady Bunch Variety Hour. Say what?
Very peaceful and poetic place.
The flowers hill is amazingly pretty under the sun.
The shrine is nice and very suitable for content creators.
No ticket is needed and it's quite accessible.
Entrance to Nezu Shrine is free. Visitors can explore the shrine grounds and gardens without any admission fee. However, special events or areas within the shrine during festivals may have separate charges.
You can get to Nezu Shrine by taking the Tokyo Metro. The closest station is Nezu Station on the Chiyoda Line. From there, it's a short walk to the shrine.
To get to Nezu Shrine from Ueno Station, take the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line to Naka-Okachimachi Station. Then, transfer to the Chiyoda Line and get off at Nezu Station. The shrine is a short walk from there.
Near Nezu Shrine, there are several dining options ranging from traditional Japanese eateries to cozy cafés. Popular choices include soba noodle shops, izakayas (Japanese pubs), and small restaurants offering tempura, sushi, and other local specialties. Many of these establishments are located along the streets leading to the shrine, providing a great opportunity to enjoy local flavors.
