Gojoten Shrine — Attraction in Tokyo

Tucked within the leafy paths of Ueno Park, Gojoten Shrine and Hanazono Inari Shrine sit side by side, creating one of the most atmospheric corners of the park—quiet, spiritual, and photogenic.

Gojoten Shrine, dedicated to the deity of medicine and health, has a gentle, calming energy. The shrine buildings are beautifully maintained, with red-lacquered details and a compact courtyard that often features seasonal flowers. Locals come here to pray for good health or recovery from illness, and you can sometimes see small offerings or ema (wooden plaques) with heartfelt wishes. It’s peaceful, shaded, and feels far removed from the bustle of Ueno Station just a few minutes away.

Right next to it, Hanazono Inari Shrine brings a splash of vivid color and symbolism. It’s a smaller, tunnel-like shrine with rows of bright red torii gates—a hidden gem that makes for stunning photos. Dedicated to Inari, the fox deity of prosperity and fertility, it’s a charming spot where visitors often leave small fox statues or pray for good fortune. Walking through the torii tunnel feels a bit like stepping into Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari—but on a miniature, more...

The Gojoten Shrine looked peaceful as well as harmonious and pretty. I did not know if one of the shrines or temples had people in the workshops setting up spas or medical equipment, but I admired it. There were some inscriptions of Japanese pictographs written on wooden posts near the Torii gate and tunnel arches, but none of the words were familiar to me. Overall, the trees and lanterns around the Gojoten Shrine Village provided a nice landscape view behind the Ueno Park I...

I went just before it closed on a weekday and it was practically empty. The tori gates give the feeling of being transported back in time, clean, quaint, and a nice experience. It seems well kept as there was a staff member tending the plants. Came during autumn when the plants were dying off, would be beautiful to see in full bloom in spring. A nice shrine to...