Nezu Shrine: Tokyo's Torii Tunnel and Azalea Festival
Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo's oldest Shinto shrines, hidden in the atmospheric old-town streets of Bunkyo. It keeps its richly painted Edo-era buildings and a hillside tunnel of closely spaced vermilion torii gates that rivals Kyoto's famous corridors, but with far smaller crowds.
Charlie fong · CC BY-SA 4.0In Hidden Gems in Tokyo · Bunkyo · Last updated 2 June 2026
- A hillside tunnel of closely spaced vermilion torii gates, with almost no queues
- One of Tokyo's oldest shrines, established in 1705, in old-town Bunkyo
- Richly painted Edo-era buildings, several designated Important Cultural Property
- A koi pond and viewing platform along the path through the grounds
- Some 3,000 azaleas in bloom during the spring Bunkyo Azalea Festival
What is Nezu Shrine
Nezu Shrine, or Nezu-jinja, is a Shinto shrine in the Bunkyo ward of Tokyo. Established in 1705, it is one of the oldest places of worship in the city and one of the Tokyo Ten Shrines. It was built in the Ishi-no-ma-zukuri style of Shinto architecture, following the famous Tosho-gu shrine in Nikko, and several of its buildings have been designated as Important Cultural Property.
Beyond the main hall, the grounds hold a hillside path lined with a tunnel of vermilion torii gates, a koi pond and a viewing platform. The combination of historic painted architecture and that bright red corridor is what draws photographers, and because the shrine sits away from Tokyo's busiest tourist routes it stays calm even when other sights are heaving.
The torii tunnel and why Nezu Shrine is a hidden gem
The hillside tunnel of closely spaced vermilion torii gates is the headline sight at Nezu Shrine. It echoes the long torii corridors people travel to Kyoto for, yet here in old-town Tokyo it is far quieter, so you can usually walk through with space to take it in. Following the path up the slope, then looking back down the line of gates, is the classic view.
Nezu Shrine in Tokyo stays a hidden gem because it sits in a residential pocket of Bunkyo rather than on the main tourist trail. The grounds are free to enter, the atmosphere is unhurried, and the surrounding Yanaka and Nezu streets keep a low-rise, old-Tokyo feel that has largely vanished elsewhere in the city.
The Azalea Festival and seasons
Nezu Shrine is most famous in spring, when its azalea garden bursts into colour. From early April until early May the Bunkyo Azalea Festival, or Tsutsuji Matsuri, fills the slope with some 3,000 azaleas in many varieties, and the shrine has been described as one of Tokyo's most spectacular spring scenes. The azalea garden itself opens only during the festival.
The shrine grounds are free all year, but during the festival a small fee applies to enter the azalea garden at its peak. Outside spring the painted buildings, koi pond and torii tunnel make Nezu Shrine well worth a visit in any season, and it pairs easily with a stroll through the nearby Yanaka and Nezu neighbourhoods.
Know before you go
- Visit in mid to late April for the Bunkyo Azalea Festival, the shrine's best season.
- Arrive early in the day to walk the torii tunnel before other visitors arrive.
- Combine it with a wander through the nearby Yanaka and Nezu old-town streets.
Where Nezu Shrine is
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Nezu Shrine: frequently asked questions
What is Nezu Shrine in Tokyo?
Nezu Shrine, or Nezu-jinja, is one of Tokyo's oldest Shinto shrines, established in 1705 in the Bunkyo ward. It is known for its Edo-era painted buildings and a hillside tunnel of vermilion torii gates.
Is Nezu Shrine free to visit?
Yes. The shrine grounds are free to enter all year. A small fee applies only to the azalea garden, and only during the spring Bunkyo Azalea Festival.
What are the Nezu Shrine hours?
The grounds are generally open from around 6:00am to dusk, with hours varying by season. The azalea garden opens only during the spring festival.
When is the Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival?
The Bunkyo Azalea Festival, or Tsutsuji Matsuri, runs from early April until early May, when some 3,000 azaleas bloom across the shrine's hillside garden.
How do I get to Nezu Shrine?
Nezu Shrine is in the Bunkyo ward of old-town Tokyo, a short walk from Nezu or Sendagi Station and close to the Yanaka neighbourhood.
Is Nezu Shrine worth visiting?
Yes. With its historic painted buildings, a quiet vermilion torii tunnel and a famous spring azalea display, Nezu Shrine is one of Tokyo's most rewarding and least crowded shrines.
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Sources and further reading: Wikipedia: Nezu Shrine.