In Nezu, Tokyo
Nezu Shrine, situated in Tokyo, is a tranquil spot steeped in Japanese heritage. With its red torii gates, serene gardens, and historical significance, it offers a peaceful escape from the urban buzz. Visitors can stroll through the gardens, attend traditional ceremonies, and immerse themselves in Japan's cultural legacy. Nezu Shrine is a place where history comes alive, making it a noteworthy stop for those seeking a glimpse into Japan's past and present.
My experience
We visited Nezu shrine in the Spring during the Azalea Festival. Azaleas are a native flower to Japan and usually bloom from April to May. They often appear in traditional Japanese gardens as well as ancient Japanese poetry and literature.
Nezu shrine's azalea garden is over 300 years old and features over 3,000 azalea plants with over 100 different species. The azalea festival is usually held in April. During the festival, they have a couple of vendors selling festival foods near the entrance of the shrine as well as flower vendors selling azalea plants. The shrine itself it said to have been founded over 1,900 years ago by Yamato Takeru and is one of the oldest shrines in the city. It was built in the same style as the Toshogu shrine in Nikko. The shrine is one of the Tokyo Ten Shrines.
Admission to the shrine is free, but there is a small fee to enter the azalea garden. We spent around 30 minutes walking through the garden. It was quite crowded since we went on a weekend. In addition to the Azalea garden, the shrine features a long row of torii gates you can walk through and a beautiful koi pond!
The gardens are beautifully curated and absolutely lovely to walk around in the cool spring weather. I highly recommend visiting if you are in the area during April!
Address
1-28-9 Nezu, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0031
Date / Time
April 1 - April 30 (in 2023) 9:30 - 17;30
Access
Nezu Station (Chiyoda Line) - 6 minute walk
Todaimae Station (Namboku Line) - 10 minute walk
Hakusan Station (Mita Line) - 15 minute walk
Admission
300 JPY
Official Site
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