Overview
Seat of the country's national government, Chiyoda City Ward is physically dominated by the immense sovereignty that is the Imperial Palace. It's therefore no surprise that with its top quality Shinto shrines, Japan's indigenous faith is so strongly represented in the city. Here is an introduction to some of the shrines of Chiyoda and how to reach them.
Hie Shrine
With its rich colouring, Hie Shrine cuts an impressive image. Accessible from the main road via a flight of steps, the shrine features a number of similar entrances including a spectacular tunnel of vermilion torii gates. During the biennial Jinko Festival, the shrine's priest is the only one in the country permitted to enter the nearby Imperial Palace and offer prayers.
A 5-minute walk from Kokkaigijidomae Station on the Chiyoda Line.
Kanda Myojin Shrine
Home to one of Tokyo's premier Shinto festivals, Kanda Myojin Shrine is full of vibrantly coloured decorative motifs. Another shrine strongly associated again with the great shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, it's perhaps not surprising that the enshrined spirit of a 10th-century warrior who challenged the state and declared himself the 'New Emperor' can be found here.
A 5-minute walk from Ochanomizu Station on the Marunouchi Line.
Tokyo Daijingu
A major shrine in Tokyo, Tokyo Daijingu was established during the Meiji period to act as a substitute for worshippers unable to make the pilgrimage to far off Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture. Immaculately kept, Shinto wedding ceremonies had their start here with the shrine now a popular magnet for those seeking help with love and romance.
A 4-minute walk from Iidabashi Station on the JR Chuo Line or the Namboku, Oedo, Tozai or Yurakucho lines.
Yasukuni Shrine
War may be a horrid affair but both peace and serenity are very much on display at Yasukuni Shrine. Paying respects to the 2.5 million people who died fighting for Japan since the Meiji Restoration, the shrine manages to attract not only gratitude for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice but also controversy for the one thousand listed war criminals enshrined there.
A 5-minute walk from Kudanshita Station on the Hanzomon Line.
As for the Kanda Myojin, I visited that last year, mainly because of an Studio Ghibli exhibition . The shrine is very popular with fans of manga and anime, and it's fun to check out the ema with an endless variety of anime characters.