Explore Minato

Zojoji Temple

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Zojoji Temple is located in Minato, Tokyo, and is one of the important temples of the Jodo sect, near Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park. Inside the temple, you can see the main hall, the Sanmon gate, and several Buddhist cultural buildings, each offering different scenery throughout the seasons.

Eikan-in

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Eikan-in is a Jodo sect temple located in the Toranomon area of Minato, Tokyo, believed to have been established in the early Edo period. The temple is known for its legend of the 'Monkey Temple', the guardian monkey statue, and the grave of Sugita Genpaku, making it a quiet little temple in a bustling area.

Hibiya Shrine

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Hibiya Shrine is located in the Minato ward of Tokyo, nestled between the skyscrapers and elevated railways of the Shiodome and Shinbashi areas. It is a rare small shrine in the city center. This shrine is famous for enshrining Toyouke-ōmikami and the four deities of purification, attracting visitors who seek blessings for health, business safety, and even 'prevention of cavities.'

Atago Shrine

Minato · Landmarks

Atago Shrine is a historic shrine located at the top of Atago Mountain in Minato, Tokyo. It is famous for praying for fire prevention, good fortune, and success in life, and has been an important center of faith protecting the city of Tokyo since the Edo period. The shrine was established in 1603, reportedly commissioned by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and is affiliated with the main shrine in Kyoto. The environment within the shrine is lush and green, with cherry blossoms in spring, greenery in summer, autumn leaves, and winter snow, making it a rare tranquil natural space in the city center. The famous 'Stairs of Success' and the 'Thousand-Day Pilgrimage and Hozuki Market' held every June attract many office workers and tourists to visit and take photos.

Shiogama Shrine

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Shiogama Shrine is a large shrine complex located on a hill in the center of Shiogama City, Miyagi Prefecture. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious ancient shrines in the Tohoku region. The shrine primarily enshrines deities for maritime safety, protection of fisheries, and safe childbirth. It serves as the head shrine for all 'Shiogama Shrines' across the country, and fifteen Edo-period buildings within the shrine grounds have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. In spring, around three hundred cherry blossom trees of over thirty varieties bloom, with the 'Shiogama Cherry' — designated as a national natural monument — being particularly precious. The blooming period lasts from mid-April to early May, making it a famous cherry blossom viewing spot. The small hill where the shrine is located offers a distant view of Matsushima Bay, combined with sea breezes and ancient architecture, creating a serene and solemn atmosphere.

Shimpuku-ji

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Shimpuku-ji is a small temple located in the Atago area of Minato, Tokyo. It offers a serene environment nestled between office buildings and residential areas, presenting a tranquil corner in the city. The temple's history dates back to the Edo period and serves primarily as a place for local residents to worship, honor ancestors, and pray daily. Due to its small scale and fewer visitors, it is ideal for a visit alongside a stroll around Atago Mountain.

Bojin Temple

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Bojin Temple is a Buddhist temple located in the Shiba Daimon area of Minato, Tokyo, hidden among the office buildings of the city center, offering a serene and tranquil environment. Although it is not large, it retains the solemn atmosphere of a traditional temple, making it a great place for office workers and travelers to temporarily escape the hustle and bustle and engage in quiet prayer. It is just a few minutes' walk from nearby subway stations, making it suitable to combine with popular attractions in Minato such as Zojoji Temple and Hamarikyu Gardens for a half-day or full-day walking itinerary.

Toyoshige Inari Shrine

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Toyoshige Inari Shrine is a small Inari shrine located in the alleys of Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo. It is one of the corner guardian shrines dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice. Although it is not large, it serves as a local spiritual space for nearby office buildings and residences, providing prayers for business prosperity, home safety, and traffic safety. As a typical urban mini-shrine, it quietly blends into the office area, making it suitable for a quick visit to experience Tokyo's everyday shrine culture.

Zojoji Temple

Minato · Temples & Shrines

Zojoji Temple is a significant Jodo-shu temple located in Minato, Tokyo, next to Tokyo Tower, with a history of over 600 years. It is also an important family temple of the Tokugawa shogunate, known for the San-gate, the Tokugawa family burial site, and the Black Main Deity.