Tokyo’s Atago Shrine

One of the City’s Many Hidden Gem

Today we are going to take a look at one of my favorite little hidden gems in Tokyo, Atago shrine. There’s really not that much to see at this centrally located shrine so it will be a relatively short post. That said, Atago shrine is a wonderful little natural respite from the insanity of Tokyo’s concrete jungle. While I wouldn’t say it is something worth going to check out on its own, if you’re visiting nearby Zojo-ji or Tokyo Tower then it’s only a few minutes away and well worth the extra effort.

Atago shrine was originally built in 1603 at the order of the legendary shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and is located 26 meters above sea level on a small hill. During the Edo Period (1603–1868), the shrine had an impressive view of the city and served as a lookout for fires, the scourge of feudal Japan’s wooden cities. Appropriately Atago shrine is primarily dedicated to the Shinto god of fire, Homusubi no Mikoto, with the gods of water, mountains, and military prowess also being enshrined.

Nearby the shrine you’ll also find the NHK Museum which chronicles the history of Japan’s national broadcasting station. The museum opens at 9:30 AM and covers all the major media transitions spanning from radio and television to digital broadcasting. I myself have never ventured inside but if you’re into media studies it…