While Tokyo is known for its towering skyscrapers, neon lights and bustling streets, the city is also home to a collection of serene and fascinating shrines that offer a peaceful escape. These shrines provide a glimpse into Tokyo’s rich cultural heritage, blending ancient traditions with a touch of modernity. Discover some of Tokyo’s most interesting and tranquil shrines, each with it’s own story to tell.
Gōtoku-ji Temple
While Gōtoku-ji is more famous for its connection to the Manki-Neko, it remains one of Tokyo’s quieter, hidden shrines. Located in Tokyo’s Setagaya District, this temple is said to be the birthplace of the Maneki-Neko, the good luck charm that is commonly seen in shops and restaurants throughout Japan. Visitors can see thousands of small cat statues, each symbolizing a wish for prosperity and good fortune, It’s a quirky and delightful spot, and visiting here can give you an entirely new appreciation for one of Japan’s symbols.
The origins of the Maneki-Neko begin from the story of a lord who visited the temple during a thunderstorm. The story goes “One day, a lord on his way back from falconry was beckoned by a cat at the temple gate and decided to stop by. When spending time at the temple, thunder suddenly rang out and rain began to fall. Having gotten well out of the thundershower with an enjoyable conversation with the temple master, the lord was impressed by the luck that the cat brought. The lord was Naotaka Li, the lord of Hikone domain” – gotokuji.jp/en/manekineko
Gōtoku-ji temple built the Shofuku-den to enshrine the cat that brought good fortune, naming “Maneki Neko”. Now, many people visit Shofuku-den to pray for well-being for the family, prosperous business and happiness.
This pagoda, named Sanju-no-to, holds the sculpted Chinese zodiac and several cats. Among the twelve of the animals in the Chinese zodiac sculpted around the Sanju-no-to, there is a Maneki-Neko in the middle of the mice. Despite the cat being failed to get selected for the Chinese zodiac because of the mouses cheat, they live together in Gōtoku-ji. The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac in Gōtoku-ji are positioned following the directions that each animal interprets, such as the mouse and the cat in the north, and the rabbit in the east.
How to use Maneki-Neko
When buying a Maneki Neko figurine from the temple shop, make a wish and bring the figurine home. This is believed to help make your wish come true. Once your wish comes true, bring the Maneki Neko back to the temple, so that the good luck will stay with you. If you’d like to leave your wishes at the temple, Wooden Ema is available to be purchased instead.
Gōtoku-ji Temple opens everyday from 6am to 6pm. Entrance is free.
Hifune Takagi Shrine (Onigiri Shrine)
Tucked away in the quiet neighbourhood of Bunkyo, Takagi Shrine is one of Tokyo’s incredibly charming spirtual sights that has gained widespread on social media as the “Onigiri Shrine”. Despite its peaceful setting, this small Shinto shrine holds deep cultural significance and offers a serene escape from the bustling energy of Tokyo Skytree.
Takagi Shrine, is one of the few shrines in Japan that is dedicated to Takami Musubi No Kami, an androgynous deity of creation and birth, who was born as the second entity in the universes history according to Japanese mythology. Because of the name, the shrine is associated with the concept of en-musubi, rice balls.
In Japan, rice balls are known as onigiri or omusubi, meaning “clasped” and “fastened”. At Takagi Shrine, you can find them everywhere; piles of tiny pebbles with cute faces and seaweed drawn on them, onigiri pottery and figures. Visitors can also take home or leave a tiny musubi stone upon purchasing a goshuin stamp for 500 yen. Despite the extensive musubi theme, the shrines main subject of worship was not Takami Musubi no Kami (also known as Takagi no Kami) when it was established in 1468 AD.
Prior to the Shinto Buddhism separation in 1868, the shrine was managed by the adjacent Buddhist temple and originally was known as Dairokutensha, dedicated to Dairoku-Tenma- O, the “Devil King of the Sixth Heaven”. Identified with the demon Mora, this Buddhist devil is known as an evil tempter and deceiver of monks. There are still many Dairokutensha shrines across Japan. Some believe that they may have been influenced by Oda Nobunaga, the most infamous warlord of feudal Japan, who gave himself to moniker of the Devil King to instill fear into his enemies
In November 1968, a grand ceremony was held to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the shrines establishment. This year, 2025, marks the 557th anniversary of shrines establishment.
Practical Tips:
Getting There: Takagi Shrine is located just a short walk from Oshiage station. The shrine is easy to find, especially with the Tokyo Sky tree as your nearby landmark.
The shrines grounds are always open, but the shop is open 9am-4pm daily.
Hikawa Shrine (Kawagoe)
Nestled in the heart of Saitama Prefecture, Hikawa Shrine is a serene and historically rich Shinto shrine, with its roots dating back over 2,000 years. This shrine is dedicated to the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the god of seas and storm.
Hikawa Shrine excludes a calming atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for reflection and cultural exploration. Whether you’re drawn to its ancient history, stunning torii gates, or vibrant festivals. During the New Year’s periods, thousands gather at the shrine to make their first prayers of the year. People queue for hours to pray and enjoy the ‘fortune fishing’ that the shrine is known for. They put out large ‘omikuji’ fishing ponds during this period and during other busy periods through the year.
One of the most famous scenes of the shrine is the tunnel of prayer plaques. They have a large selection of plaques for people to choose from and hang in the tunnel. During the summer the tunnel is lit up at night. They also have a glistening river, and light up event at night during the summer. Hikawa Shrine is best known for its Furin (Windchime), event during the summer months. Before the wind chimes, they have a well-known pinwheel event. The shrine also practices several traditional events such as Tanabata (Star Festival), and Shi-Go-San
Yubizuka – Thumbs up Monument
In feudal times, Denzuin was known as one of the three greatest temples in Edo, alongside Zojo-ji and Kan’ei-ji, but currently, it is not as popular as the other two. In a small garden, there stands a surreal bronze statue of a hand holding the wrist of the other arm. This monument is called Yubizuka (finger mound), it is a monument commemorating a master of finger-pressure – or shiatsu in Japanese. Yubizuka was donated to the temple by Tokujiro Namikoshi, a shiatsu celebrity known as “the only Japanese who massaged Marilyn Monroe”. In 1955, he founded the only shiatsu school in Japan, located adjacent to the temple, which was the connection that brought this bizarre sculpture here.
Sakura-Jingu Shrine (Setagaya)
Yoshimura Masamochi, was the 67th descendent of Onakatomi and a warrior of the imperial loyalists in Kyoto. During the early Edo period, he worked at the Department of Shinto Affairs (later becoming the Ministry of Religious Education), and took part in policy making for Shinto development under the government. Serving as chief priest of a shrine, he devoted himself into spreading the teachings of Shinto. When the Meiji government suddenly altered their religious policy, Masamochi decided it was his mission to lead people to the traditional values of Shinto. He founded a religious organization and established a shrine in Kanda. It had become an independent sect called Shinshu-kyo, sanctioned by Emperor Meiji in 1882. He had become highly favored by Saigo Takamori and Ito Hirobumi, as well as many other key government officials. Masamochi also spent time with Percival Lowell, an American astronomer and devout Christian, and taught him Shinto beliefs during his stay in Japan.
Introduced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the books of Lowell, it became popular with Westerners to visit during annual festivals at the shrine during the Meiji Period. Masamochi received an oracle right before his death, which resulted in the relocation of the shrine to its current location in the early Taisho Period.
Walking into this shrine, visitors will be greeted by the vibrant pinks of flowering plum trees, with pink hanaobi tied around the branches. During full bloom, this becomes a pink paradise, perfect for pink pictures! The trees beside the main hall, called enmusubi, are specifically dedicated for recieving, and hopefully granting love and matchmaking wishes. (hanaobi – pink ribbons – are avaliable for purchase for 500 yen). Also, a must-have for the goshuin collectors, this unique and stunning goshuin stamp (500 yen). Don’t forget to get your omamori or fortune (100-300 yen).
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