Shrines in Asakusa You Should Visit
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the significant shrines in the Asakusa area. Asakusa is Tokyo's most important spiritual district, with the iconic Senso-ji Temple and the unique Imado Shrine. Each sacred site offers visitors a chance to experience Japan's rich religious heritage.
Whether you're interested in collecting goshuin (御朱印, temple seals), seeking specific blessings, or simply appreciating traditional architecture, these spiritual landmarks provide fascinating insights into Japanese culture and history. Let's begin our journey through Asakusa's revered spiritual shrines.
What is the Difference Between a Shrine and a Temple?
Buddhist temples feature statues, incense burners, and host memorial services. Shinto shrines, marked by torii gates (鳥居) and purification fountains, signify the boundary of the gods. While temples maintain a solemn atmosphere, shrines frequently host festivals and celebratory events throughout the year.
You can ring a bell when you pray and draw an omikuji (おみくじ, fortune slip) at Shrines, while at temples, you can pray quietly, watch Buddha statues, and try zen meditation.
Features of Shrines in Asakusa
Asakusa is known for its unique shrines (and also temples) that are deeply connected to local folklore and popular culture. This connection stems from its history as a centre of commerce and entertainment for common people during the Edo period.
Rather than focusing on national matters or abstract philosophy, many of Asakusa's shrines are dedicated to personal wishes, such as love, business success, and long life.
As you explore the area, you will come across shrines that worship maneki-neko (招き猫, beckoning cat) or kumade (熊手, ornament with okame face).
Below are the four shrines you would like to visit in Asakusa.
Asakusa Shrine 浅草神社
Asakusa Shrine, also known as Sanja-sama (三社様), stands as a distinguished Shinto sanctuary adjacent to Senso-ji Temple. Built in 1649 by the Tokugawa Iemitsu shogunate, this shrine gained its fame as the host of the annual Sanja Matsuri (三社祭), one of Tokyo's three major festivals.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Asakusa Shrine (浅草神社) |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Operation Hours | Always open |
| Address | 2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo - 7 min walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Tobu Line) - 10 min walk from Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express) |
History of Asakusa Shrine
The shrine honors the three men who founded Senso-ji Temple: the two fishermen brothers, Hinokuma Hamanari and Takenari, and their chief, Hajino Nakatomo, who enshrined the statue of Kannon.
The shrine's architecture reflects the Edo period's gongen-zukuri style (権現造), featuring intricate wooden carvings and beautiful vermilion colors. Despite the extensive damage to the surrounding area during World War II, Asakusa Shrine remarkably survived, making it one of the few original edifices in the district.
Throughout the year, the shrine plays a central role in preserving and celebrating traditional Asakusa culture through various festivals and ceremonies.
Goshuin 御朱印
Goshuin: Shrine seal stamps. Shrine lovers collect it in a Goshuin booklet for their memorial records.
Visitors can receive goshuin at the shrine office. Standard goshuin designs are available year-round: the main Asakusa Shrine stamp, the Ebisu Deity stamp, and the Hikan Inari Shrine stamp.
The shrine also offers special limited-edition goshuin designs during specific occasions such as New Year's celebrations and the Sanja Festival, making each visit a unique opportunity to collect these sacred calligraphic works. Remember to pray first before receiving your goshuin, as it serves as proof of your visit.
Omamori お守り
The shrine's omamori (amulet) collection includes several distinctive offerings. The most sought-after is the "Daijoubu" (大丈夫, Everything Will Be All Right) charm, a small 4.5 x 2.5 cm (about 1.77 x 0.98 inch) omamori that comes with eight colors and patterns. Each has different patterns, but they all carry the same blessing: "May all your worries and concerns disappear through the power of the three deities, allowing you to live peacefully."
Other notable amulets include three uniquely shaped designs:
- The square "Shofuku (招福)" - To Invite good fortune. The charm resembles a measuring box, with its silver accents symbolizing a bright and shining life
- The triangular "Chouju (長寿)" - For longevity. The charm is made of copper that changes color as time passes, representing endurance and family prosperity through its expanding triangular shape.
- The round "Kinun (金運)" - For a financial fortune. The circular shape represents both coins and the smooth progression of life without corners to stumble upon.
Imado Shrine 今戸神社
Imado Shrine is located in a quieter area of Asakusa known as the "Cat Shrine" or "Maneki-neko (招き猫) Shrine". This nickname comes from its historical connection as the birthplace of the Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) tradition. The beckoning cat figurines were originally crafted using the local Imado ware (今戸焼) pottery technique.
The shrine is also popular among those seeking blessings for relationships and marriage, due to its connection to Japan's first mythological married couple, Izanagi (いざなぎ) and Izanami (いざなみ).
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Imado Shrine (今戸神社) |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Operation Hours | Office hours: 9:00-16:00 Shrine Grounds: Always open |
| Address | 1-5-22 Imado, Taito-ku, Tokyo - 15 min walk from Asakusa Station (all lines) - 5 min walk from Asakusa Nanachome Bus Stop - 1 min walk from Riverside Sports Center Bus Stop (Toei Bus, Taiyo City North Megurin Bus) |
History of Imado Shrine
According to the shrine's legend, the origin of Maneki-neko is tied to a story of an old woman and her beloved cat in Asakusa. The woman abandoned her cat after she was unable to afford her life. When the cat appeared in the woman's dream, the cat told her to make a clay doll of itself for good fortune. The woman's cat dolls became popular, leading to prosperity, and thus Maneki-neko began the tradition of Japan.
The shrine grounds feature numerous cat statues, including a special stone "petting cat" statue named after the deities, Izanagi and Izanami - "Nagi-chan" and "Nami-chan."
Goshuin 御朱印
Visitors can receive goshuin (shrine seal stamps) at the amulet office located to the right of the main hall. The shrine offers two types of standard goshuin year-round: the main Imado Shrine stamp and the Fukurokuju deity stamp, both available for 500 yen each. Imado shrine's goshuin features unique stamps, including the goshuin with a beckoning cat mark. Pre-written goshuin may be offered during busy periods.
Omamori お守り
The shrine offers various types of matchmaking amulets. The most popular ones are the round-shaped amulets featuring an embroidered beckoning cat couple, available in six colors plus limited edition colors. The circular shape symbolizes harmonious relationships without corners or conflicts.
Some other unique amulets include special mirrors that reveal the image of two matchmaking cats when reflecting sunlight.
Hie Shrine 東京日枝神社
Hie Shrine, located in Nishi-Asakusa, has a rich history dating back to the Muromachi (室町) period. Originally enshrined within the grounds of Toko-in Temple (東光院) near the present-day Marunouchi Tokiwabashi area, the shrine was relocated to Kodenmach during the Keicho period (1596-1614) along with Toko-in Temple when Tokugawa Ieyasu expanded Edo Castle. Following the Great Fire of Meireki in 1657, the shrine was rebuilt at its current location.
Hie Shrine is a peaceful neighborhood shrine located in Nishi-Asakusa. It has a long history of more than 400 years. Today, it is cherished by locals as a place to pray for household safety and well-being.
Today, this historic shrine stands as the guardian shrine near the Kappabashi shopping street. It enshrines Oyamakoui-no-kami, the deity, and is known for bestowing successful relationships, business prosperity, and organizational success.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Hie Shrine (東京日枝神社) |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Operation Hours | Grounds: Always open |
| Address | 3-8-1 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo - 7 min walk from Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express) - 7 min walk from Iriya Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line) |
For visitors seeking goshuin (shrine seal stamps), they are available only on the 15th of each month when they hold the festival. It can be received at the shrine representative's house.
Ōtori Shrine 鷲神社
Located north of Asakusa, approximately 1.5km northwest of the central Asakusa area, Ōtori Shrine holds a special place in local tradition. The shrine offers a guardian of household peace and prosperity. Ōtori shrine is also known affectionately as "Ōtori-sama" since the Edo period, reflecting the close bond between the shrine and the local community.
*"-sama" is a respectful way of calling people or things. It shows how deeply the people revered the shrine as a familiar and protective presence in their daily lives.
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Ōtori Shrine (鷲神社) |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
| Operation Hours | Always open |
| Address | 3-18-7 Senzoku, Taito-ku, Tokyo - 7 min walk from Iriya Station North Exit 3 (Hibiya Line) - 8 min walk from Asakusa Station (Tsukuba Express) - 15 min walk from Asakusa Station (Tobu Line/Metro Asakusa Line/Ginza Line) - 2 min walk from Senzoku Bus Stop (Toei Bus from Nippori/Kinshicho Station) - Accessible via Taito City Loop Bus "Minami Megurin" and "Kita Megurin" |
Tori no Ichi Markets 酉の市
This shrine is particularly famous for hosting the Tori no Ichi markets (酉の市), a lively traditional festival held each November. During this festival, the shrine grounds come alive with vendors selling kumade (熊手) - lucky rake-shaped talismans that literally mean "bear paw."
The kumade talismans sold at Tori no Ichi are believed to "rake in" good fortune for their owners, making them highly sought-after items during the festival.
Kumade 熊手
You can purchase the Kumade during the festival. From small handheld sizes to impressive large-scale pieces, each adorned with traditional symbols of prosperity and success.
The shrine also offers a smaller version called "Kakkome" kumade (かっこめ熊手) amulet, which has maintained its traditional form since the Edo period and is believed to "rake in" people, fortune, and wealth.
Goshuin 御朱印
Visitors can also receive goshuin (shrine seal stamps) at the kaguraden (神楽殿), the ritual dance hall located along the shrine's approach. Two types of standard goshuin are available year-round: the main Otori Shrine stamp and the Asakusa Seven Lucky Gods stamp.
During the Tori no Ichi festival, special limited-edition goshuin are also available, offered from midnight to midnight on each Tori day. These festival stamps feature different inscriptions depending on which day it was issued. Due to high demand, these special goshuin are pre-written, with those issued in the Year of the Rooster featuring distinctive gold backgrounds.
Amulet お守り
Nade-Okame: It will bring fortune by stroking the "okame". It gives a different fortune depending on where you are stroking.
"Nade Okame" is a special amulet featuring Okame's face on one side and a beckoning cat on the reverse. Despite its small size, it is said to hold the same blessings as touching the large Nade Okame statue in the shrine. It is a compact and powerful amulet that combines multiple forms of good fortune.
FAQ
Here are some questions you may wonder about if you are interested in the shrines.
1. How should I walk through the shrines in Asakusa?
We recommend starting your Asakusa temple/shrine tour at the Kaminarimon gate at Sensoji. Walk through Nakamise Shopping Street to reach the main hall, then visit the adjacent Asakusa Shrine. If you have time, take a short walk to Imado Shrine to discover the birthplace of the beckoning cat (招き猫, Maneki-neko) and pray for good luck in a relationship.
For deeper insights, Smile Vista's guided tours offer historical information and guidance on proper visiting etiquette. Our greatest strength lies in our team of professional local guides, born and raised in Asakusa. We offer exclusive access to hidden gems and authentic experiences that only true locals can provide.
Let's explore Japan with our guide!
2. Are Asakusa Shrine and Sensoji Temple the same?
No, they are separate religious institutions. Sensoji is a Buddhist temple dedicated to Kannon, while Asakusa Shrine is a Shinto shrine honoring Sensoji's three founders. They share the same grounds and have coexisted for centuries.