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Yasukuni Shrine

3-1-1 Kudan-kita, Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture 102-8246, Japan
+81 3-3261-8326
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Ranked #2 of 65 attractions in Chiyoda
Type: Religious Sites, Historic Sites, Monuments/ Statues, Museums
Owner description: A large, torii gate stands at the entrance to this shrine built in memory of those who lost their lives defending Japan. Many officials still come... more » Owner description: A large, torii gate stands at the entrance to this shrine built in memory of those who lost their lives defending Japan. Many officials still come and offer prayer annually on August 15, the anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II. « less
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215 reviews from our community

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    34
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Date Rating
Silver Spring, Maryland
Top Contributor
404 reviews 404 reviews
125 attraction reviews
Reviews in 160 cities Reviews in 160 cities
141 helpful votes 141 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 May 2013 NEW

Yasukuni Shrine honors the dead of Japanese wars from the Meiji Restoration onward. It even has statues dedicated to the horses and dogs that died in the wars. It's controversial since the shrine contains a museum that takes a rather retrograde view of that rationale for these wars. I didn't bother with the museum, but enjoyed wandering the large grounds... More

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See 3 more reviews by areview28 for Chiyoda
Singapore, Singapore
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 attraction reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Because of the political baggage carried by this shrine, I haven't seen this place mentioned in many tourist offers. Disputations aside, this place is the heart of japanese nationalism and definitely worth visiting if you wish to understand Japan and its people. I have not seen many tourists in the area. There is an awesome Museum a few hundred feet... More

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Courbevoie, France
Top Contributor
59 reviews 59 reviews
18 attraction reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 April 2013

This place is just wonderful. Having had the chance to be there during hanami, it proved to be an amazing place to see cheery blossoms. Also they have an external ring for sumo wrestling where I could enjoy a day of wrestling. Shall I mention a wee garden, next to it, with benches facing a lake, trees around and ..... More

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Singapore
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
10 attraction reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 April 2013

One would be greeted by giant steel torri gate at the outermost entrance (which we understand symbolizing the perversion of the gentle "way of the gods”). Follow a slight slope and walking past the towering stature of Ōmura Masujirō, Vice Minister of War, another torri gate is sited. The main hall of worship is just another 5 mins stroll ahead.... More

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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
54 reviews 54 reviews
36 attraction reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 March 2013

Yasakuni Shrine has some nice Ikebana arrangements outside, but we visited for the Sunday flea market. ?Every? Sunday there's a small flea market outside the shrine with stalls selling mostly pottery, wooden dolls, and some used kimono. It's small, but if there aren't any other flea markets while you're in town, it's worth a stop. The shrine is also right... More

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See 2 more reviews by TravelingYarn for Chiyoda
Singapore
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
26 attraction reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 February 2013

Yasukuni jinja. A lot of controversies surround this shrine. Mostly bad. I am born Singaporean. Singapore was one of the counties invaded and occupied by the Japanese army. I don't hate them. Hate is such a extreme feeling for something that happened so long ago, before I was even born. So I went. Without any prejudice or hate, I visited... More

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Yokohama, Japan
Top Contributor
51 reviews 51 reviews
24 attraction reviews
Reviews in 24 cities Reviews in 24 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 February 2013

I visited this Shrine and the associated War Memorial Museum in early February, The gates leading up to the Shrine are impressive but with all the trees devoid of leaves at this time of year, the shrine gardens did not live up to expectations. I suspect a visit in Spring would be quite different and more scenic. We visited the... More

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Tokyo and California
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
14 attraction reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 January 2013

It's a nice place to visit in spring. You'll see lots of yatai food stalls and people enjoying hanami, cherry blossom viewing.

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See 3 more reviews by Shibuyakko for Chiyoda
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Top Contributor
91 reviews 91 reviews
52 attraction reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 January 2013

Torii that you can see from several blocks away - impressive! Nice gardens behind the main shrine too. There is also a military museum and Sumo Ring nearby.

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See 2 more reviews by Patrick C for Chiyoda
Dublin, Ireland
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
8 attraction reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 January 2013

Beautifully presented memorial and a fascinating place. We visited during a festival period and the grounds were crowded with people enjoying the celebration and the fabulous street food as well as remembering the war dead. Quite a few (Japanese) people were moved to tears by the texts of letters from soldiers from the front in the museum itself. The explanations... More

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