Yasukuni Shrine (Yasukuni Jinja), located in Chiyoda City, Tokyo, was established in 1869 by Emperor Meiji to commemorate and honor those who gave their lives for their country during war time. Today, the shrine is dedicated to nearly 2.5 million souls from a number of conflicts, including the Boshin War, the Seinan War, World War I, the Manchurian Incident, the China Incident, and World War II. Men, women, and children who supported Japan in roles such as, but not limited to, soldiers, factory workers, and civil service workers are worshipped equally regardless of rank, social status, or gender. The shrine solemnly recognizes the names, origins, birth dates, and places of death of these individuals by listing their information on-site. The shrine stands as a solemn reminder of the effects of war with an atmosphere of both respect and tragedy. Though in recent years, Yasukuni has become one of Japan’s most controversial shrines.
Emperor Meiji founded Yasukuni Jinja in 1869 during the second year of the Meiji Restoration. During this time, Japan was going through political reform, which sparked an internal conflict known as the Boshin War, where people in favor of military rule fought individuals who aimed to return power to the Imperial court. After this significant event, Emperor Meiji ordered the construction of Shokonsha Shrine, which he later renamed Yasukuni Jinja in 1879, to honor those who gave their lives for this historic change. Emperor Meiji founded Yasukuni to stand as a symbol of the ultimate sacrifices people made to bring peace to Japan. Today, the shrine is recognized as an Imperial Shrine of Special Status.
In recent years, Yasukuni Jinja has seen some political controversy as fourteen convicted class A war criminals from WWII are enshrined among the deified souls. This has put many of Japan's leading ministers under scrutiny for visiting the shrine, related to the principle of separation of church and state.
Five million people visit Yasukuni Jinja every year to pay their respects to the enshrined souls. The shrine is free to visit and is open year-round from 6:00 to 18:00 (17:00 from November to February).
Yasukuni’s entrance is marked by the dominating Daiichi Torii, which is the first shrine gate and one of the tallest torii’s in Japan, standing at 22 meters tall. As visitors pass the threshold onto the sacred grounds, they are enveloped in an atmosphere of solemn serenity. The traditional, yet not overly-flamboyant architecture coupled with the surrounding nature creates a peaceful environment that honors the enshrined souls. Directly past the torii is a bronze statue of Omura Masujiro, the first Minister of War after the Meiji Restoration. Continuing forward, guests will pass through a second torii, named Daini and then Shinmon, a pagoda-style main gate. The main area of the shrine opens up to a courtyard filled with cherry blossoms, which leads to Haiden Main Hall and Yushukan Museum to the right. Yushukan Museum is an impactful building that tells the stories of the countless enshrined souls. Though the museum has also come under scrutiny due to its conservative and biased retelling of wartime events. The museum has an 800 JPY admission fee and is open from 9:00 to 16:30.
For springtime enthusiasts, Yasukuni is also a significant spot as it is home to Tokyo’s representative cherry blossom tree, which is used by meteorologists to announce the official start of the cherry blossom season.
Yasukuni Jinja performs daily rituals where it offers food and words of gratitude to the dead, and twice a year, in spring and autumn, it performs major rituals in which offerings by the emperor are consecrated. Members of the imperial family also take part in these rites. The shrine also plays host to numerous Shinto festivals and rituals year-round.
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Five minute walk from Kudanshita Station, or ten minute walk from Ichigaya and Iidabashi stations.
Despite its rather controversial nature, Yasukuni Shrine is a lovely, peaceful place to escape from the city. There are plenty of trees, a long, wide avenue, several smaller
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A large sakura festival is held every year at Yasukuni Shrine, and the historical significance of the location only adds to the splendor of the festival.
Putting reputation aside, Yasukuni shrine is a great place to visit during the Cherry Blossom season where you’ll see many terrific sights and experience a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere
Each year Yasukuni Shrine holds a ceremonial sumo event where you can watch sumo wrestling for free
As an Indian resident in Tokyo, I frequently go to Kudanshita, where the Indian embassy is located; for passport matters, celebration of festivals etc. Just next to the embassy is Yasukuni Shrine which I have frequented more than once for the Antique Market held here every Sunday. It starts early in the morning at 6:00 a.m. next to the parking lot in front of the shrine. If you love pottery, picture frames, Japanese fans etc. and if you are good at bargaining, Yasukuni Antique Market is definitely for you.
Honozumo Ceremonial Sumo Tournament, Held at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo - Watch the best Sumo Wrestlers fight for free!
Soul-Comforting Spring or Irei no Izumi at Yaskuni Shrine in Tokyo is a symbolic tribute to soldiers who died at war
Honor your ancestors at the Obon festival, Mitama Matsuri celebrated at Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.
Come and experience one of the only places in the world where you can see a former Axis power commemorating their part in the Second World War.
NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO is conveniently located in the midst of the electric town Akihabara, also known as the capital of manga and anime. In addition, this neighborhood has an abundance of tech shops, maid cafes and a variety of restaurants. With just a 6-minute walk away from Akihabara station, it provides easy access to explore other areas nearby such as Ueno and Asakusa. This hotel embodies the rich cultures of music, art and food. Nohga’s concept of music is derived from Akihabara’s local history, starting as a district of radio and wireless component merchants in the late 1920s. The artistic and luxurious space throughout the hotel is achieved by featuring art and amenities designed in collaboration with craftsmen from around Japan. As for the food menu, it’s seasonal fresh ingredients are sourced domestically. The glasses and dinnerware served are collaborations with stores in the surrounding area. All 120 non-smoking guest rooms feature an ensuite bathroom with a rain shower, in-room safety box, mini fridge, USB plugs, free Wi-Fi, a high-quality bluetooth speaker and flatscreen TV with original music and film. The lounge area and a compact 24-hour gym can be found near the reception on the second floor. Services include laundry (from 2,750JPY) and a 24-hour front desk with a check-in time of 3PM and check-out time of 11AM. For sightseeing you can rent a Tokyobike for the day (2,000 JPY/day) to explore the vicinity.
Oakwood Premier Tokyo comes from a brand of standout luxury hotel & service apartments right at the heart of the Tokyo metropolis. It is located in the business hub of Marunouchi with JR Tokyo Station in close proximity. This will allow guests and travelers to easily access the city's extensive transport network and visit various landmarks such as Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market, Ginza and Shopping District. Boasting 123 luxurious apartments on the upper floors of a multi-serviced complex, each room offers a magnificent view of the city, not to mention all furnished and a fully-equipped kitchen set which is rarely seen in your everyday service apartment. Without doubt, these spacious tranquil retreats are curated to give you the amenities and services of a luxury hotel and a feeling of home. They are good options for both business executives and leisure travelers from one night of a short-stay to a few weeks/months of mid-to-long-term stay.
Located right next to Shinjuku Chuo Park, THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku is a modern hotel with an exceptional design and easy access to the nearby Shinjuku train station and the Meiji Shrine. The 14-story hotel building was renovated and reopened in August 2018 as THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku . The western-style rooms offer a park view on the top floor as well as a newly opened terrace suite. The spacious atrium design offers a relaxed atmosphere and connects the restaurant, bar, lounge and lobby with one another. One of the highlights of THE KNOT is the delicious dishes. There are six areas in which food and drinks are offered. From the grill area to high-quality black tea and fresh bread, everything is on offer.
PIZZERIA & BAR NOHGA is an all day dining restaurant interpreting a fusion of “Spanish Italian” cuisine and has a kitchen to table design. There is a casual bar area and restaurant where you can take a peek inside the open kitchen whilst enjoying your meal. Visit the cafe for a range of coffees and teas along with an offering of tapas snacks and seasonal desserts. The cafe also offers an assorted dessert and all-you-can-drink cafe set. Breakfast takes on the art of sharing, where a range of platters are combined with focaccia and your choice of eggs cooked your way. Coming for lunch? Choose from a selection of pizzas, pastas and salads. Each lunch menu is accompanied with homemade soup, iced tea and focaccia. Dinner time offers a range of exquisite tapas and pizzas that can also be shared. Breakfast: 07:00 - 10:00, Lunch 11:30 - 14:30, Cafe 14:30 - 18:00, Dinner: 18:00 - 23:00 with last order at 10pm.
Bunny Cafe Moff Rell in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward offers a chance to interact with adorable rabbits. You can make reservations for the cafe by phone, or you can visit and pay at the store before entering. The cafe provides 30- and 60-minute courses, and you can play with or feed the bunnies. If you are unsure about how to treat the rabbits, don't worry! The staff members will kindly explain everything to you. Minimum age is 10 years old.
The Pokémon Café in Nihonbashi, which opened in March 2018, is the latest character café in the popular series of games and series in Tokyo. The café and the adjacent Pokémon Center DX store were opened in 1997 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the first store. The bright café, which is furnished in warm wood tones, offers main courses, desserts and drinks - all of which are arranged with a focus on one or more Pokémon and some are suitable and limited to certain topics or seasons. You can also find exclusive merchandise here - from plush toys in chef jackets to bowls and cutlery with Pokémon motifs. They also sell Pikachu Sweets, special sweets and products with the most popular of all Pokémon as a motif. A visit to the Pokémon Café is only possible with a prior reservation, time slots can be selected from one month in advance and also in English via the website. It is located on the 5th floor of the Nihombashi Takashimaya Shopping Center, which is not far from the Tokyo and Nihonbashi stations.
The Chidorigafuchi Trench is one of the best places in Tokyo to see the cherry blossoms in spring, from late March to early April. This 700-meter walk next to the Imperial Palace moat offers beautiful scenery and great opportunities for discovery. During the popular cherry blossom season, the paths along the moat are colored pink by hundreds of cherry trees. The trees are also lit at night during the Chiyoda Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival. A little later in the year the surface of the water is almost completely covered by falling petals. Many couples rent boats and take a romantic excursion through this pink wonderland. Nearby attractions include Yasukuni Shrine, Showa National Memorial Museum, Nippon Budokan, and the Jimbocho Bookseller District.
The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, (abbreviated as MOMAT) is Japan’s first national art museum. The museum was initially founded in 1952 in Chuo Ward, before it was relocated in 1969 to its larger present-day location in Chiyoda Ward beside the Imperial Palace. The sleek facility was designed by architect Yoshio Taniguchi and has undergone multiple renovations and expansions to meet its ever-growing collection. The main building itself extends 4,500 square meters, making it one of Japan’s largest art museums. Aside from the main building, MOMAT also includes the Crafts Gallery, which opened in 1977. This gallery is located in the former Imperial Guards headquarters and is a beautiful example of western-style brick architecture from the Meiji period. The museum has an impressive collection of about 13,000 Japanese- and Western-style pieces from the early 20th century to present day and displays about 200 works at a time. The main hall generally features paintings, prints, watercolors, drawings, sculptures, and photographs, while the Crafts Gallery displays ceramics, glasswork, lacquerware, woodwork, bamboo work, graphic design, and more. MOMAT also includes a museum shop and a French-and-Italian-fusion restaurant.
The Imperial Palace is both literally and figuratively a hub of the Japanese capital. Located in central Tokyo, the palace grounds were once home to Edo Castle, the seat of government of the Tokugawa shogunate and the center around which the country is almost three Spun for centuries. When the capital moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in the 1860s, the imperial family traveled with it, and a new residence was built for them on the site of the former castle. Today the palace is still the home of the Japanese imperial family and parts of the site can be visited with a guide.