Ueno Tōshō-gū (上野東照宮) – Ueno’s golden treasure

 

Most tourists visiting Tokyo, head to the famous Senso-ji or Meiji Jingu. But if you have time in your schedule, there are several other temples and shrines well worth a visit. One that you should put on top of your list is the Ueno Tōshō-gū shrine located in Ueno Park and representing original Edo period architecture.

First established in 1627 by  Tōdō clan daimyō Todo Takatora ( 藤堂 高虎 ), Ueno Tōshō-gū has remained mostly intact for nearly 400 years surviving major earthquakes and wars.

The shrine’s most striking architectural feature is the karamon (唐門) Chinese gate which is designated as National Important Cultural Property. In addition to its shiny gold leaf trimming, the gate is decorated with intricate carvings depicting flowers, birds and two dragons known as the Ascending Dragon and Descending Dragon.

Then main building – honden – dates to 1651 and is also designated as National Important Cultural Property. All it’s pillars and doors are covered in shiny gold leaf. To protect the building, it is not possible for visitors to go inside the honden.

Fees:

You can visit shrine grounds outside the karamon for free. Small fee applies, if you want to visit the inner yard (recommended) to see the honden more closely as well as the more ornate back side of the karamon. 

Ueno Tōshō-gū also has a peony garden Botan-en which is open only from New Year’s day to mid-February and mid-April to mid-May. Separate admission fee applies.

How to get there:

Closest station (few minute walk) is Ueno Station on JR train lines and Hibiya and Ginza subway lines.

Nearby attractions:

Ueno Park, Ueno Zoo, Ameya Yokocho street. The beautiful Nezu shrine is also within 15-20 minute walk from Ueno Tōshō-gū.