Ueno Tôshôgû is a miniature version of the very famous shrine complex up in the mountains in the town of Nikko. This shrine was originally constructed in 1686 and was part of the Kaneiji temple complex before it was burned down during the rise of the Meiji Emperor in the late 19th century. This shrine is dedicated to the founder of the Edo period, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and each metal lantern lining the path to the shrine was donated by the daimyo (warrior nobility) to the Tokugawa Shogunate of the Edo period to celebrate and ensure the peace created by the Tokugawa family. As a modern addition to this shrine, there is a small little memorial to those who died in the two atomic bombings of Japan with a small flame alight, this one being the origin of the two flames now burning at both the Hiroshima Memorial and the Nagasaki Memorial.

For the casual: 7. For the educated: 7

This shrine is beautiful and it's a wonderful treasure among the many tucked into various corners around Ueno park, but this small shrine is not accessible to the public so really all visitors can do is look and take pictures. Plus, once visiting the real Tôshôgû in Nikko, there's this odd feeling like this shrine could have been more, but I guess that really depends on context. Years ago this shrine would have been a gem in one of the largest temple complexes in the Kanto area, but instead it stands alone surrounded by cafes and museums. All the same, for being an addition to a temple which is no longer there, it is one incredible little shrine.