Yushima Tenmangu Shrine [Tokyo]

【Summary】

Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, located near the University of Tokyo, Japan’s highest academic institution, is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the well-known god of learning, and was reportedly built in 458 by the order of Emperor Yusaku. Since Tokugawa Ieyasu’s entry into Edo, the shrine has been worshipped by the Tokugawa family and has been visited by many scholars and writers.

Tenmangu shrines can be found throughout Japan. In Tokyo, the most representative Tenmangu Shrine is Yushima Tenmangu Shrine.

2023年11月5日 太宰府天満宮【福岡県】

2023年10月16日 防府天満宮【山口県】

【premises】

The torii gate at the entrance is the oldest existing cast bronze torii gate in Tokyo (built in 1667). Depending on the time of year, the approach to the shrine is lined with stalls and bustling with people.

Although the precincts of the shrine are not very large, the pure wooden shrine pavilion, made of 250-year-old Kiso hinoki cypress, is as formidable as any other Tenmangu shrine.

The shrine dedicated to Michizane is also famous for its cow statue, which is called “Nadegyu (patting cow)” because it is said that if you pat the bad part of your body, it will get better, and people can be seen patting the cow and holding hands with it.

Togakushi Shrine is located behind the main shrine. The deity is Amenetajikarao-no-mikoto, and it seems that Yushima Tenmangu Shrine was originally built as a branch of Togakushi Shrine in Nagano Prefecture. Later, Sugawara Michizane was enshrined as the god of learning, and the shrine became the current Yushima Tenmangu Shrine.

【scenery】

The temple is also famous for its plum blossoms, and about 80% of the 300 plum trees on the grounds are white plum trees, which are very crowded at the end of February. The temple grounds are not very large, so it is very crowded on weekends and holidays. The temple is famous for its plum blossoms, and the smell of plum blossoms from the food stalls…. If you do not like crowds, you should consider visiting the shrine first thing in the morning.

【letter bearing the shogun’s scarlet seal】

Red seal book-placement 500 yen (2023)

【Nearby attractions】

2023年11月12日 Ueno Toshogu Shrine【Tokyo】

【Access】