Toshogu Shrine in Ueno

Walking distance from Ueno Station, Tokyo, JAPAN
Important Cultural Property / Nationally Designated / Buildings

(Photo by Eino's Collection of Trip Photos)

Toshogu Shrine in Ueno represents the nature of the architecture in the Samurai (Edo) period. The main building and the gate, with their walls covered with gold, has the other name "Golden Castle". The walls have elaborate carvings. Tradition says the rising dragon and the descending dragon carved on the gate walls fly to Shinobazu-no-ike Pond every night to drink water.

In addition to the main building and the gate, the see-through fence "Sukibei" and the lanterns made with copper surrounding the main building are also nationally designated as Important Cultural Property.

Note: There are several Toshogu Shrine in Japan. When you visit or collect information, I would suggest you specify Toshogu Shrine "in Ueno".




For getting through the see-through fence and closer to the main building, they ask for an admission of JPY several hundreds (Inside of the main building is not open to the public). For just visiting and praying from outside of the see-through fence, no admission is needed.

The shrine was built in 1627 to the memory of the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Ieyasu. The whole structure of the shrine was rebuilt in 1651 when the main building and the current gate were also completed.

Links to the official websites

Visitor's Information - Official Website in English
http://www.uenotoshogu.com/en/

Other Important Cultural Property / National Treasure in the district

The National Museum of Western Art
Hyokeikan, Tokyo National Museum