Yasukuni Shrine's History & Present: 6 Sites to Explore Japan's Past

History of Yasukuni Shrine

In the years surrounding the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Japan saw widespread conflict and dramatic changes in its societal order. One of the most defining events of the time was the Boshin War - a civil war between the then-ruling Tokugawa shogunate, and a joint force of western Japanese domains seeking to restore direct imperial rule. It was soon after in 1869 that Emperor Meiji ordered the construction of Yasukuni, to enshrine casualties of the preceding Boshin War.

At the time of construction, Yasukuni Shrine was named Tokyo Shokonsha ("the Tokyo shrine to summon the souls"), but Emperor Meiji re-named the shrine Yasukuni-Jinja in 1877. The name "Yasukuni" carries the meaning of "peaceful country", and the renaming was Emperor Meiji's wish to build a peaceful nation.

Throughout Japan's history, Yasukuni Shrine went on to enshrine those deceased in the Meiji Restoration, Sino-Japanese war, Russo-Japanese war, and World War I. Throughout all of these times, Yasukuni Shrine's was serving its unchanging purpose since establishment to "memorialize the names of those who served their lives for the nation". The deceased of World War II was no exception, and this later became the center of controversy surrounding Yasukuni Shrine.

This is because Yasukuni Shrine, along with the civilian victims of World War II, memorializes 14 class-A war criminals including Hideki Tojo. Many of the political controversies surrounding Yasukuni Shrine problematize the enshrinement of these criminals alongside all other civilians, and the implications of Japan's prime ministers and government officials paying their respects to the shrine.

Yasukuni Shrine nonetheless continues to stand as a well-known place of shinto worship, and attracts many visitors to this day. Next, we will introduce Yasukuni Shrine's many surprisingly unknown and impressive sights.

6 Places to Visit in Yasukuni Shrine

1. The First Gate - "Daiichi Torii"

The First Gate, built in 1921, stood as the largest of its kind after its construction. Unfortunately, rain and wind left the gate damaged over the span of decades, and was inevitably rebuilt in 1974. Standing at 25 meters, the visitors familiarize the First Gate with the name the “Great Gate”.

First Gate

2. The Second Gate - "Daini Torii"

The Second gate greets you as you enter the center area of the Yasukuni Shrine grounds. Though smaller than the First Gate, the Second Gate is the largest bronze torii gate in Japan.

Second Gate

3. The Main Hall - "Haiden"

The Main Hall, or the Haiden, is commonly seen as the grand icon of Yasukuni Shrine. The Haiden completed in 1901, with the renovation of the roof taking place in 1989. This is the main hall where most visitors pray and pay respects. The white cloth in the Haiden is the mitobari, and drapes over the Buddha statue to hide and shelter its presence. Another torii gate, named the Chumon Torii, stands in front of the Haiden.

Main Hall

4. Tearooms and the Divine Pond Garden - Shinchi-Teien

A Japanese garden and several tea rooms lie in the Yasukuni Shrine grounds. Constructed in the early Meiji Era and renovated in 1999, the Japanese Garden locates at the very end of the shrine grounds. The pond established in the middle of the garden allows visitors to stroll around it, with the varying backdrop every season has to offer. Diverse flowers and plants bloom throughout the garden, and koi fish reside in the pond. The garden is particularly green, almost like a miniature forest in the middle of the shrine. Within the garden is also the longest granite-made bridge in Japan. Three tearooms sit at the end of the premises as well.

Shinchi Teien

5. Yushukan Museum

Just by the Haiden is the Yushukan, a war memorial museum displaying relics and items from wars. It opened from 1882 until the end of the Second World War, when the museum was closed down for a while. The Yasukuni Shrine Exhibition held at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi in 1959 served as the turning point for the Yushukan, and lead to its re-opening in 1986. Displays include “zero-sen” fighter jets, katana and armor from the Edo era, and military uniforms of different army units.

Yushukan Shrine

Entry Fee:
• Adults: ¥800
• University Students: ¥500
• Middle/High School Students: ¥300
• Elementary School Students and Below: free

6. Cherry Blossoms at Yasukuni Shrine

Cherry blossoms at Yasukuni Shrine

The Japanese are familiar with Yasukuni Shrine as one of the most beautiful cherry blossom spots in Tokyo. The cherry blossom tradition dates back to when the shrine was built in the Meiji Era, and now over 500 trees bloom every year. The Japan Meteorological Agency uses the cherry blossom trees at Yasukuni Shrine as the benchmark to proclaim the official start of cherry blossom season.

Events

New Year's Festival (Jan.)

Held on the first day of the year, the New Year’s Festival is Yasukuni Shrine’s way of traditionally welcoming the new year. Along with hatsumode (first temple visit of the year), traditional events such as fukubiki and yumihiki are held. Free sake and amazake are even more reasons to join in on the celebration.

Annual Spring & Autumn Festival (Apr. & Oct.）

These seasonal festivals cultivate a traditional shrine atmosphere. Japanese traditional arts such as nihon-buyo, noh and rakugo make for a classic Japanese ceremony. A particularly special event is the sumo-wrestling bout, taking place in the sumo ring on the shrine grounds. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to watch sumo wrestling right before your eyes – for free!
The spring festival is held between April 21st and 23rd, and the autumn festival is held between October 17th and 20th.

Mitama Festival (July)

Mitama Matsuri

Held during the 13th and 16th of July annually, the Mitama Matsuri is one of Yasukuni Shrine’s representative events. More than 300,000 visitors show up to this grand festival to fully absorb the Japanese summer fervor. Over 30,000 lanterns illuminate the shrine grounds, with food stands and bon odori dancing adding to the nostalgic summer festival vibe.

Take in Japanese History at Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine, built during the Meiji Period, is relatively new compared to others. Yet, the amount of history that can be learned from its existence is just as deep as any other shrine. Yasukuni Shrine has easy access from the city center, and has a nature-rich shrine ground detached from Tokyo's urban business. It is definitely a place worth visiting, even for that alone!

Access

Nearest stations:
・Iidabashi Station (JR JB16/Tokyo Metro Tozai Line T06/Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Y13/Tokyo Metro Namboku Line N10/Toei Oedo Line E06)
・Kudanshita Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line Z06/Tokyo Metro Tozai Line T07/Toei Shinjuku Line S05)
・Ichigaya Station (Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Y14/Tokyo Metro Namboku Line N09/Toei Shinjuku Line S04)

From Shinjuku Station

【Shinjuku Sta.】Toei Shinjuku Line / for Motoyawata
→ 【Kudanshita Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 5-minute walk

From Tokyo Station

【Tokyo Sta.】Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line / for Ikebukuro
→ 【Otemachi Sta.】Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line / for Nagatsuda
→ 【Kudanshita Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 5-minute walk

From Narita Airport

→ 【Narita Airport Terminal 2 Sta.】Keisei Express Skyliner/ for Keisei Ueno
→ 【Ueno Okachimachi Sta.】Toei Oedo Line / for Iidabashi and Tocho-mae
→ 【Iidabashi Sta.】 from the West exit → about a 12-minute walk

From Haneda Airport

【Haneda Airport Sta.】Airport Express / for Narita Airport
→ 【Nihombashi Sta.】Tokyo Metro Tozai Line / for Nakano
→ 【Kudanshita Sta.】from Exit 1 → about a 5-minute walk

Nearby Destinations