Ueno Toshogu Shrine

It is one of the ancient (400 years old )Thoshogu Shinto shrines of Japan. It is a great example Shinto Architecture and has got a very beautiful Karamon (gate), a type of curved gable ended peculiar Japanese style one. The shrine is famous for the enshrining Tokugawa Leyasu, the founder of Shogunate along with few other Shoguns. This shrine withstood few wars and many earthquakes, and without noticeable damages. The architecture is worth watching and with many beautiful features including that of the Karamon, Honden etc. It is one of the important cultural properties of Japan. The property is located near to the Ueno Zooand the Nature Science centre. We walked from near the entrances to the shrine ( app 10 minutes). We could also see a folk singer on the way.

About a 10 minute walk from JR Ueno Station. Before reaching the shrine, you first pass through the stone lantern avenue, where rows of stone lanterns stand in order, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. At the end lies Ueno Toshogu Shrine. Dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu and rebuilt by Tokugawa Iemitsu, the shrine has stood for over 370 years, remarkably preserved, and is recognized as an important cultural heritage site. The golden and resplendent Toshogu features exquisite carvings, gold leaf decorations, and ornate details. Under the play of light and shadow, it appears especially dazzling and is acclaimed as a representative work of Edo period ornate architecture. Beside it stands a more modern building, the Shinsatsu Office, where various protective charms and votive plaques are sold. Visitors who wish to enter the shrine’s inner hall can also purchase an admission ticket there.

Tosho-gu Shrine is a dazzling piece of Japan history, dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu(德川家康) and other Tokugawa shoguns. You’ll spot the Tokugawa family crest all around the grounds, adding to the sense of legacy and tradition. The golden details and intricate carvings are absolutely stunning, like walking through a living museum. It’s one of Japan’s most important historical sites.

What a beautiful shrine. We didn’t pay to visit the gardens, just the main complex. The architecture is simply stunning, we especially loved all of the rows of lanterns. And the gold colors on the main building was breathtaking.

A absolute masterpiece of a shrine. The shrine was built several hundreds years ago and wad built for the Tokugawa family which united japan and was leading it under hundreds of years before restoring the power to the imperial family. A beautiful peony garden which costed maybe 1000 yen or something as well as entrance for if you wanted to go om the grounds of the shrine for 500 yen. It also had a beautiful pagoda which was sadly only accessible through the ueno zoo. It also had a bunch of mighty stone pillars representing the Tokugawa family members.

The shrine is beautiful and definitely worth a look, but the 500 yen entrance fee feels like a bit of a rip-off, especially since you can see most of it from the outside. The main reason to go in is to see a small tanuki shrine, which is cute but not really worth the cost. You can even buy the goshuin outside the temple grounds, so there’s not much reason to pay for entry unless you're really curious.

Beautiful. There is a 500 yen fee to enter the grounds and well worth it. The main structure is covered in carvings and gold lacquer. The protecting fence has unique carvings on both facings, top and bottom of nature scenes. One of the most lovely and unique shrines we visited.

The beautiful design of the temple is very unique. Many people were gathered for prayers. Very beautiful architecture of many monuments can be seen.