Yushima Tenmangû

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Originally built in the 5th century, Yushima Tenmangû was first enshrined with the spirits of strength and sports. But in 1355, it was expanded to enshrine Tenjin, the god of wisdom. With its close proximity to the prestigious Tokyo University, Yushima Tenmangû is now mostly a shrine of academic success for students praying for good finals and entrance examinations. 

For the casual: 6. For the educated: 6.

Yushima Tenmangû is a beautiful shrine which was renovated in recent years. As much as it's known for its academic affiliation, Yushima Tenmangû is also known for a statue of a cow which brings good luck when rubbed, and also for its abundance of plum trees which blossom in late winter and early spring. I didn't find this shrine all that thrilling myself, probably because it reminded me of all the homework that I needed to do, but it is very beautiful and stands on a hilltop above a massive collection of curry restaurants. 

Back gate to Yushima Tenmangû.

Main hall of Yushima Tenmangû.

 

Nezu Jinja

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Nezu Jinja is a fairly unassuming shrine (compared to some others) in the township of Nezu near the greater city of Ueno. As a shrine which is ornate but not pompous, Nezu Jinja is a beautiful shrine nestled in a wooded park with its design based on the famous Nikko Tôshôgû. It was moved to its current location in the mid 17th century by the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi when he announced that Tokugawa Ienobu would be his successor. Yet for its subdued nature, Nezu Jinja is a major cultural shrine to Japan. Originally built almost two thousand years ago in Sendagi just north of Nezu, it was founded by the legendary Prince Ôsu, also known as Yamato Takeru no Mikato, son of the 12th Emperor of Japan. The story of Yamato Takeru is Japan's version of the Arthurian legend, so although the real origin of the shrine may not be known, the fact that it is associated with such a major figure in Japanese legend suggests that the shrine is a very important one all the same.

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 10.

Nezu Jinja is a major historical shrine but it is matched with its beauty. Modeled after Nikko Tôshôgû, it is made of painted wood, gold, and various other ornamentation. Apart from the main shrine,  there is also Komagome Inari Jinja which is dedicated to the crafty foxes who protect crops from rats and other pests. This shine has tunnels made of small tori gates which line the path. Below a large koi pond with a little water fall follows the main path.

One of the main tori when entering the shrine grounds.

That's me walking down the path of tori at Komagome Inari Jinja also on the Nezu Jinja grounds. I'm 6' 3" so I had to bend over the whole way.

Sorry for the finger interference, I got distracted by the building and the rain, but this is the main shrine at Nezu Jinja.

The gate to the main shrine enhanced by the pelting rain. Such a fun day to be there.

 

Gojôten Jinja

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Another shrine tucked away in Ueno Park, this shrine is not as flashy as Ueno Tôshôgû, but it is far more accessible and has its own little bits of beauty. There isn't any information that I know particularly about this shrine other than it too used to be a part of the Kaneiji temple complex which covered what is Ueno Park today, and it is home to a small Inari shrine as well as a city shrine to the people and prosperity of Ueno.

To the casual: 7. To the educated: 3.

 

Ueno Tôshôgû

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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.