The Shrine of Love has Cherry Blossoms
A shrine of love is in Tokyo? Yes, there is. Actually, a couple of them are in the city. One is Sakura Jingu near Shibuya. Some special cherry blossom trees are in its courtyard. It’s a great place for early hanami photographs.
I did some research before going. Many blogs said the shrine was small and in the suburbs, so it was never crowded. Well, I got a surprise! It was crowded. Many people came to pray. The line went from the main hall to the entrance’s torii gate. That was a distance of nearly fifty meters!
The Shrine of Love’s cherry blossoms
Sakura Jingu’s cherry blossoms are the kawazu zakura type. They bloom around late February to early March. This is great for anyone looking for these flowers before the main season.
I visited Sakura Jingu on the 2nd March. That was toward the end of the season. That explains why there are some green leaves in the pictures.
That’s something to remember. The Kawazu zakura bloom longer than most cherry blossoms, but their season is still brief. Get there quickly for great photos.
Photography tip
Go in late morning or early afternoon. That way the sun will still light the trees and the front of the shrine.
The Hanaobi Ribbons
Are you into love and matchmaking? Sakura Jingu is famous for this. It is THE place to go for that, thanks to its pink ribbons, the hanaobi. They cost ¥500 and are available all year round. Buy them at the shrine office.
Write your wish on them and tie them onto the enmusubi tree beside the main hall. It’s dedicated to receiving and granting love and matchmaking wishes. Good luck!
Praying at the Shrine
This isn’t photography related, but it is interesting. Shrine etiquette can be tricky. Sakura Jingu has a unique way to pray. Bow twice, clap four times, pray, and then bow once. Other places require only two claps.
How to get to Sakura Jingu
Take the Den-en-toshi Line from Shibuya to Sakura-Shinmachi Station. It’s an eleven-minute train ride.
From the station’s North Exit, it’s a two-minute walk to the shrine. Here it is on a Google Map:
Address: 3-21-3 Shinmachi, Setagaya City, Tokyo
Opening times: 9 AM to 5 PM
Admission: Free
Conclusion
Sakura Jingu or the shrine of love is an interesting place to photograph. The pink ribbons and the flowers are beautiful. A problem exists though.
This is a difficult one. When the cherry blossoms bloom, many people go there to pray. That can make photography difficult. I suggest going on a weekday. Have you visited? Share your experience in the comments. Questions are welcome too.
Date photos taken: 2 March, 2025
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
For more shrine articles, look at:
External related articles:
- Sakura Jingu (official website)