Photo: Yasukuni Shrine
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Yasukuni Shrine

Attractions | Religious buildings and sites
Kudanshita

Friday 17 December 2021

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Time Out says

Yasukuni is one of Tokyo’s grandest shrines, conceived by Emperor Meiji to commemorate those who died defending him against the shogun. It is also the nation’s most controversial landmark. It houses the souls of almost 2.5 million war dead, but 14 in particular have brought the shrine notoriety. World War II leaders such as Iwane Matsui, the general who ordered the destruction of Nanking, are enshrined here, with the reasoning that their Class A war criminal status is a Western construct and irrelevant to the Shinto religion. The neighbouring Yushukan war museum stokes the flames with an intriguing take on historic events, arguing, for example, that the Russo-Japanese War (1904-5) inspired Mahatma Gandhi, and suggesting that the Pearl Harbor attack saved the US economy. Former PM Junichiro Koizumi became the first premier to make annual visits to the shrine, delighting his nationalist supporters but provoking anger from Japan’s neighbours and wartime victims.

Details

Address: 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku; Tokyo

Transport:: Kudanshita Station (Hanzomon, Shinjuku, Tozai lines), exits 1, 3 or Ichigaya Station (Chuo, Nanboku, Shinjuku, Sobu, Yurakucho lines), exits A3, A4

Directions Website Call

What’s on

Mitama Matsuri

Yasukuni Shrine’s annual Mitama Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s largest Obon festivals. First held in 1947, the festival is best known for its 30,000 lanterns: 10,000 large lanterns light the approach to the shrine while 20,000 smaller ones are set up at the inner shrine grounds. This year, the lanterns will be illuminated daily from dusk until 9.30pm between the days of July 13 and July 16. During this four-day festival, Yasukuni Shrine’s outer gardens will host a series of daily events, such as a noryo summer folk dancing festival around the bronze statue of Masujiro Omura, and a beautiful display of Sendai Tanabata ornaments. Plus, you’ll also find a congregation of food trucks selling street food throughout the festival period. Don't miss the giant Nebuta float processions and Awa Odori dance performances happening on Monday July 14 from 6.30pm and 7.30pm respectively. They are, arguably, the highlight of the festivities. Additionally, there are portable shrine processions taking place at 6.30pm on July 13 and 15. The event takes place from 5pm to 9.30pm daily.

13 Jul16 Jul 2025

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