Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine plum blossoms in 2023
I hadn’t been to Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine for three years! Do you know it? Probably not. It’s tiny, but it has history and plum blossoms. Of course, I went there for the flowers. But, even if you go for them, your stay will probably be brief.
A Brief History of Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine
Ushi-Tenjin Kitano dates to the 12th century. The first Kamakura Shogun, Minamoto no Yoritomo was on his way to war and rested in the area. The deity Sugawara no Michizane appeared to him in a dream. Sitting on an ox, he foretold two events.
One was the birth of Yoritomo’s son Yorike, who became the second shogun. The other was that he would win that war.
He built the shrine in gratitude. It’s small but historical. Today, it attracts many visitors. Many go to see it because of its cow symbology. Sugawara loved them.
The shrine and its plum blossoms
Ushi-Tenjin Kitano shrine is tucked away in the backstreets of Bunkyo Ward. It’s roughly a ten-minute walk from Iidabashi Station. You’ll need a map to find it for sure!
Getting there might be a trial for some as the stairs up to the shrine are steep. But follow the road around to the rear entrance. That might be easier on bad knees. Once over that, you’ll be inside this tiny place.
When I stress tiny, it’s because it is! The plum blossoms will be right in front of you. They surround the shrine. You won’t have to look far for them.
Your visit to Ushi-Tenjin will probably be brief. While it has historical significance, it’s small. If you go there for just the flowers, you might be disappointed. It won’t take long to get your photos. Still, you have options in the area.
Koishikawa Korakuen, an Edo-period park, isn’t far away. It has a nice grove of plum blossoms. Actually, I’d recommend pairing it with Ushi Tenjin. You could easily visit both on the same day. They should be on your Tokyo trip itinerary if you are into flower photography. Leave questions and comments below.
My photo gear for this shoot
- Camera body: Fujifilm X-T3
- Lenses: Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR
Where is Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine?
Address: 1-5-2 Kasuga, Bunkyo City, Tokyo
Here it is on a Google map:
Closest train stations:
- Iidabashi on the JR Chuo/Sobu, Toei Oedo ,Tokyo Metro Namboku, Tozai and Yurakucho Lines.
- Korakuen on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Namboku Lines. It is also on the Toei Mita and Oedo Lines.
- Suidobashi on the JR Chuo/Sobu and Toei Mita Lines.
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related websites:
- Ushi-Tenjin Kitano Shrine (official website)