Yasukuni Shrine in Photos

Yasukuni Shrine main worship hall and torii gate
Yasukuni Shrine main worship hall behind a torii gate.

What can I say about Yasukuni Shrine? Located in Chiyoda ward, the Meiji Emperor founded it in 1869. It is for those who fell fighting for Japan from the Boshin War to World War 2. Today it draws five million visitors per year. It is also a brilliant place for photography in Tokyo! 

At 6.24 hectares, it is big. Well, it’s not as big as Meiji Shrine. The many buildings, monuments, nooks, and crannies will keep photographers busy. If you are into shrines, cherry blossoms, or things military, Yasukuni needs to be on your bucket list.

Yushukan Mitsubishi Zero Fighter
Zero fighter at the Yushukan museum.

I recommend entering it from the Kudanshita station side. At the entrance, you’ll be under a massive 25-meter high torii gate. The torii marks the start of the 500-meter-long ginkgo-lined causeway. It is a great place to walk in autumn when the trees turn yellow.

In the middle of the causeway is an enormous pillar upon which is Japan’s first bronze statue. It is of Masujirō Ōmura (considered by many to be the father of the modern Japanese military). Continue, and you will enter one of Tokyo’s most famous shrines.

Yasukuni shinto torii gate and pink cherry blossoms
Spring cherry blossoms at the shrine.

Yasukuni Shrine Points of Interest

This shrine will impress. Everything is big. The torii gate on the long causeway towers over visitors, as do statues. What else is there?

  • Cherry blossoms – these are all over the place, but they only bloom in spring.  One of them is used to determine when the Tokyo season for the trees starts.
  • Chinreisha – this shrine is dedicated to those who fought and died in conflict with Japan.  It is tiny.  Currently, it is behind a locked gate.
  • Main Hall – It is a beautiful building with great architecture. A word of warning here – the area in front of its steps is sacred ground. Taking pictures is forbidden there.
  • Military Museum (Yushukan). If you are interested in history, it has some great displays.  Its foyer even has a Zero fighter! Entry is ¥1000.
  • Mitama Festival – it honors Japan’s war dead and takes place in July.  For the festival, the complex is lit by 30,000 lanterns.  Many people turn out in yukatas. 
Shinmon gate
The Shinmon gate.

Best time to photograph

  • Mitama Festival in summer.
  • Cherry blossom season in spring (2022 photos here).
  • Autumn is great. When the ginkgo trees turn yellow, Yasukuni’s entrance is fantastic.
Yasukuni Shrine Mitama Festival omikoshi
The Mitama Festival in summer.

Where is Yasukuni Shrine?

It is within walking distance from the Imperial Palace.

Address: 3-1-1 Kudankita, Chiyoda City, Tokyo

Here it is on a Google map:

Closest train stations:

1. Ichigaya, served by these lines:

  • Chuo-Sobu
  • Namboku Metro
  • Yurakucho Metro

2. Iidabashi, served by these lines:

  • Namboku Metro
  • Toei Oedo
  • Tozai Metro 
  • Yurakucho Metro

3. Kudanshita, served by these lines:

  • Hanzomon Metro
  • Shinjuku
  • Tozai Metro

Opening hours

6 am to 6 pm

Is free WIFI available?

Yes.

Yasukuni main entrance torii in autumn
Yasukuni has huge torii gates.

Conclusion

Going to Yasukuni Shrine is an experience. It is one of the most revered places in Japan. And considering how many people might be there on any given day, it is tranquil. But it has lively festivals like the Mitama that energize its hot summer nights.

Sacred pool cherry blossoms
The shrine's sacred pool in spring.

Yasukuni is for you if you want to see one of Tokyo’s most important shrines, a military museum, and cherry blossoms. Well, you will have to go in spring to see the flowers! But, there is enough in any season to make it worth a visit, especially with a camera. Leave questions and comments below.

Picture of Rohan Gillett
Rohan Gillett

Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and okonomiyaki. His camera will capture the entire city one day.

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