Next to Shingan-ji temple a few minutes' walk from the station in Tokyo's trendy Shimokitazawa district, Kitazawa Hachiman is a pleasant hillside shinto shrine. The main hall is attractively decorated, but the main point for me was the numerous miniature side shrines; even though they are small, they are adorned with carvings as intricately detailed as on full-sized buildings, trees and birds, flowers, lions and dragons. There's also a side hall with a beautiful painted screen on display (behind a window which makes it impossible to photograph).
- 1 min read
Kitazawa Hachiman Shrine in Tokyo
Enjoy detail and craftsmanship in Shimo-kitazawa

By Peter Sidell
Community writer

Airborne guardians

The main gate from the street

A wooden lantern by the steps up to the halls

Prayer boards

One of the little side shrines

The main hall

Detailed carvings on a side shrine

A komainu guardian lion

Another little side shrine

Decoration on the main hall

Another of the many miniature side shrines

And a komainu guardian wolf

More intricate detail

The carvings are painstakingly elaborate

A side hall
Explore nearby
-
-
-
-
Ramen with Chicken Broth Soup
Featured
Join the discussion

Anonymous
8 years ago
nice pictures!
Thank you!
2 comments in total
Book your trip
Find a nearby hotel
Explore some of the best nearby hotels and deals for the perfect place to stay in Japan.
Top Articles
-
1
Kamenoi Hotel Atami
Shizuoka - Sponsored -
2
Hokkaido Full Immersion Tour
Hokkaido -
3
Starbucks Japan Spices Up Summer
Food -
4
70 Nations, One Amazing Meal
Osaka - Sponsored -
5
I’m Donut?: Japan’s Viral Donut Sensation
Culture -
6
Driving in Japan: Guide to ETC for Highway Toll Gates
Transportation -
7
Suica 2026 and Beyond: What’s New and What’s Cool
Culture -
8
Mt. Fuji Hike 2025: New Safety Rules & Registration Guide
Shizuoka - Sponsored -
9
Kyushu Craftsmanship and Traditions Heritage Tour
Article -
10
Sado Island Kodo Earth Celebration 2025: Music, Traditions, Taste Tour
Niigata
-
1
Guide to Bringing Medicines Into Japan
Planning -
2
The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting in Tokyo
Shopping -
3
Sanja Matsuri
Tokyo -
4
Your Name: Real-Life Locations in Tokyo
Tokyo -
5
May Grand Sumo Tournament (Tokyo)
Tokyo -
6
Iwatayama Monkey Park
Kyoto -
7
Adachi Fireworks
Tokyo -
8
Daikoku Car Meet
Kanagawa -
9
Japanese Urban Legends
Culture -
10
Gion Matsuri
Kyoto