Shrines and Temples, Tokyo

 
by Avya
 
  •   Shrines and Temples
    by Avya
  • Yasukuni-jinja Shrine
      Yasukuni-jinja Shrine
    by FelixB
  • Kaminarimon
      Kaminarimon
    by stonefree
  • Meiji Jingu
      Meiji Jingu
    by stonefree
  • all in one
      all in one
    by stonefree
 

42 Reviews of Shrines and Temples

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful

Write a Review
“Omamori” Japanese lucky charm (amulets)
Avya profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Avya 66 reviews

Favorite thing: The lucky charms in Japan can usually only be obtained at the shrines.
They are usually categorized by the area of your wish such as “prosperous business”, “successful study”, “well-being of family”, "ward of evil" “fulfillment of love or wish for finding a partner”, etc.

The small shrine in Ueno park charges 700 yen per charm whereas the bigger shrines like Meiji-Jingu Shrine charges 800 yen per charm.

I was fascinated by how they look and i was touching each one of them but I later regretted it coz I think they didn't like me touching so many of the charms. I accidentally dropped one of the charms and put it back hastily and the lady quickly took the charm that I dropped, went to the back, did some cleansing ritual on it (I think) and put it back on the display. She wasn't smiling.

I felt bad... but oh well... I didn't know!

This red charm in the picture was the the one I bought for my sister, she requested for it!

Written Dec 4, 2009

Related to:
 Women's Travel
 Religious Travel
 Historical Travel

Was this review helpful?

Meiji Jingu
stonefree profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

stonefree 262 reviews
Meiji Jingu

Fondest memory: I pay a visit this shrine once a year with my wife since I got married.
It has a huge precinct with woods and the long approach to the main shrine. You will forget you are in the center of Tokyo in the walk through the approach.

Updated Apr 5, 2007

Related to:
 Religious Travel
 Family Travel

Was this review helpful?

Yasukuni Jinja - Shrine
FelixB profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

FelixB 58 reviews
Yasukuni-jinja Shrine

Favorite thing: The Yasukuni Shrine is not an outstanding shrine except for the fact that 2.5 million war heroes are enshrined there. Among those are also 14 war criminals from WWII. In the past prime minister Koizumi has visited the shrine several times and is everytime evoking hatred from Japan's neighbouring countries Korea and China. This is the major reason for its fame.

How to get there: Take the Tôzai or Hanzomon subway line to Kudanshita station.

Written Apr 10, 2005

Related to:
 Historical Travel
 Architecture

Was this review helpful?

KAMINARI-MON, Senso-ji
stonefree profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

stonefree 262 reviews
Kaminarimon

Favorite thing: KAMINARIMON (The Thunder Gate) is the main entrance of Senso-ji / Asakusa Kannon. With passing through this gate, you will walk along the approach with suvenir shops along it to the main temple.

Fondest memory: The kanji on the red lamp is written KAMINARIMON (Thunder Gate) in Japanese.
Above the red lamp, on the board is written KONRYUSAN (Golden Dragon Mountain).
A mountain when in a temple means the head quater.

There is a silly story. As you can see on the pic, the lamp is a little bit folded on the bottom of it. The lamp on the pic is renewed some last year. The investor was the local merchants society. They planned and ordered the new lamp bigger than it used to be as making a wish for the more prosperity of the town. But... when they changed the lamp to the new one... hanged it... they found that the lamp was too big so people can reach and hit on their head with the bottom of it when they pass under the gate. Too poor...

Updated Apr 20, 2004

Related to:
 Family Travel
 Religious Travel
 Architecture

Was this review helpful?

Zojo-ji
stonefree profile photo

4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

stonefree 262 reviews
all in one

Favorite thing: Ok, Zojo-ji is not too famous among travellers, but, see the pic, this may be what you visitors expect for Tokyo, right? Temple and the symbolic tower with the adorable cherry blossoms...

Come in the middle of April. You may view the SAKURA at its peak. Nowhere else in Japan has such a complete / complex view. It's perfect.

Updated Apr 19, 2004

Related to:
 Architecture
 Family Travel
 Religious Travel

Was this review helpful?

Give the Sensoji temple in Asakusa a visit!
teddibare profile photo
teddibare 4 reviews

Favorite thing: Tokyo is a city of modernity, but, few would have guess that an older part of town offer a more relaxed and gentle way of life.

If you have time, run down to the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. There is a 300meter long street leading to the temple where small stalls sells everything imaginable. Particularly interesting are the street tidbits like baked, animal cakes and rice crackers made on the spot.

Along the streets leading away from the temple, you can also find many quaint shops selling all kind of stuff. Kill time here by walking in this area.

Fondest memory: I love the culture and the politeness of the people here.

Written Oct 29, 2003

Related to:
 Arts and Culture
 Family Travel

Was this review helpful?

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine
vigi profile photo

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

vigi 1194 reviews
wishing board @ Jinja Shrine (TOKYO)

Fondest memory: Despite the fact that Yasukuni-jinja Shrine was built for memorial of those died for Meiji imperial restoration and later tose died in war, locals worship these spirits as "god" and posted up lotsa Wishing Boards. This is wishing World Peace however giving a support to the shrine's name which means "country at peace".

Updated Aug 16, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Yasukuni-jinja Shrine
vigi profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

vigi 1194 reviews
Yasukuni-jinja Shrine @ Tokyo

Fondest memory: Japan's most controversial shrine. Class-A war criminals of World War II are enshrined here. Despite of objections from other countries, Japanese politicians still make a habit to visit the Shrine on the anniversary of Japan's World War II defeat.

Updated Aug 16, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Harajuku and Meiji Jingu
Wind10 profile photo
Wind10 33 reviews
Harajuku-Meiji Jingu

Favorite thing: Harajuku is an interesting place. My Jap friend told me it is a place mainly gather "Inaka mon" (people from small villages).
However, there is a quiet and holely area just next to Harajuku station - Meiji Jingu.

Fondest memory: Tokyo is an exciting city. Combination of East and West, traditional and modern.
Besides, the complex railway network and the crowd also as one of the symbol of the city.

Written Aug 9, 2003

Was this review helpful?

Dedicated to my VTFriend kedi+
manuelEB profile photo

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

manuelEB 605 reviews
Kozoji

Favorite thing: And here is another beautiful contrast between tradition and modernity. A big budhist bell is under the traditional roof. Thousand of clerks were under the new building roof. It should be for them that the bell tolls...

Updated Jun 24, 2003

Related to:
 Budget Travel

Was this review helpful?

Top 3 Hotels in Tokyo

Park Hyatt Tokyo  Tokyo

 7 Reviews and 525 Opinions  Most memorable 

 Hotels in Tokyo

Grand Hyatt Tokyo  Tokyo

 4 Reviews and 345 Opinions  This is a Grand Hyatt and while conventionally 'dependable' for a certain level of service, this... 

 Hotels in Tokyo

Mandarin Oriental Tokyo  Tokyo

 1 Review and 354 Opinions  Spent 2 nights at the new Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Ginza. Fabulous! Probably the best city hotel I... 

 Hotels in Tokyo

The Place

Shrines and Temples

Shrines and Temples tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tokyo locals.

  Write a Review  
Experience Tokyo
 

The People

748 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
 profile photo

 And here is another beautiful contrast between tradition and modernity. A big budhist bell is under the traditional roof. Thousand of clerks were under the new... 

748 members live in Tokyo

 

Questions and Answers

CaitlinMacEwan profile photo

Q:  Hi there, I am considering having a few nights stop over in Tokyo on my way back from London. However, I will have a little... 

SfumatoPants profile photo

A: You don't say what your budget is so it's difficult to comment. Is it worth it? Yes. Take a look at my Tokyo page for some info to get you... 

Read 7 Replies

postQuestion_button

Top Tokyo Writers

1

T o k y o

o00o profile photo

 . Welcome to my lovely hometown Tokyo. 

2

Tokyo

dennisKL profile photo

 After a 10-hour journey....finally reach the 1st stop at Hakone. A nice scene forest area.A cloudy sky. Taking my 1st lunch at Japan about 11am and proceed to the field of Lavender. From here you can... 

3

Tragedy in Japan

Bunsch profile photo

 Tokyo is a wonderful city, but March 2011 is not an ideal time for a visit. The 9.0 earthquake on 3/11/11 has been followed by hundreds of aftershocks. Although the devastating tsunami primarily... 

4

Tokyo - I love this place ! Old, New, & Happening

Wild_Orchid profile photo

  My first visit in August 2004 How do I even begin to describe Tokyo? Let me start with my first impressions: Screaming neon lights & skyscrapers, Crowded Train Stations (clean, tidy, no graffiti to... 

5

Tokyo

kdoc13 profile photo

 I love Tokyo. I can't say it enough, I love the place. Yeah it has its bad side. Being a gaijin (a foreigner, and specifically a white western foreigner) in Tokyo can be rough. There is a bit of... 

View all rated pages

View newest pages

Build your own Tokyo page

Travel Editors for Tokyo

stonefree profile photo