TELLBY
English

Nezu Shrine

根津神社 · Nezu

7 story sections17 min 53 s in all

Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan

History & cultureBY TELLBY

Contents

7 sections · tap a section for its opening lines
  1. 1Orientation2:27

    Welcome to Nezu Shrine, a site of profound historical and spiritual significance located in the heart of Tokyo's Yanesen district. While many visitors flock to the grand scales of Meiji Jingu or Senso-ji, Nezu Shrine remains a…

    Listen in the app
  2. 2Architectural Mastery — The Gongen-zukuri Style2:48

    Standing before the main buildings of Nezu Shrine, one is struck by the opulent, gilded structures that seem more at home in a mountain retreat than in central Tokyo. This is the Gongen-zukuri style, an architectural form that…

    Listen in the app
  3. 3The Path of a Thousand Torii — Otome Inari2:39

    Perhaps the most iconic feature of Nezu Shrine is the Sebon Torii, or the path of a thousand gates, which leads to the small Otome Inari sub-shrine. While smaller than the famous Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, this tunnel of vermillion…

    Listen in the app
  4. 4The Azalea Garden — A Seasonal Spectacle2:35

    Behind the Otome Inari shrine lies a hillside that, for most of the year, is a lush, vibrant green. But come late April and early May, this hill transforms into a riot of color during the Tsutsuji Matsuri, or Azalea Festival. …

    Listen in the app
  5. 5The Sacred Pond and the Bridge of Purification2:36

    At the foot of the azalea hill lies a tranquil pond, a central feature of the shrine's 'Shin-en' or divine garden. The pond is home to large, colorful koi fish and several species of turtles, which are often seen sunning…

    Listen in the app
  6. 6Charms, Fortunes, and the Temizuya Ritual2:46

    Before approaching the main altar to say a prayer, every visitor should participate in the ritual of purification at the 'Temizuya' or water pavilion. Following the steps mentioned in our travel guides: first, scoop up water with…

    Listen in the app
  7. 7Closing2:02

    As we walk back through the main torii and return to the streets of modern Tokyo, take a moment to look back at the trees of Nezu Shrine. You have just spent time in one of the most significant spiritual sites in the city. …

    Listen in the app

What is Nezu Shrine?

Nezu Shrine is a place in Nezu with 7 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.

Key facts
LocationNezu
TypeHeritage
Story sections7
Total length17 min 53 s in all
Text languageEnglish
Coordinates35.7202, 139.7607
Last updated

Nearby places

within a 5-minute walk
Listen in the app