在东京靖国神社看什么

Visit Yasukuni Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo with Imperial ties that commemorates and remembers Japan’s war dead.

Table of contents:
Background of the Yasukuni Shrine
Sightseeing at the Yasukuni Shrine
The Yushukan Museum
Tips for Visitors to Yasukuni Shrine
Visiting the Yasukuni Shrine with the JR Pass

Japan is home to many gorgeous and fascinating temples and shrines. But one of its more unusual and controversial is the Yasukuni Shrine in Chiyoda City in central Tokyo. This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the spirits of those who died for Japan during wars and conflicts, and has strong ties to the Japanese Imperial family. This makes it both a place of worship and a war memorial of sorts, something that tourists should find quite intriguing. This guide covers the shrine’s history and the context behind its controversy, what to see in the grounds and the Yushukan Museum, opening hours and fees, and how to get there, including a route that uses your JR Pass.

Background of the Yasukuni Shrine

To understand why you should visit the Yasukuni Shrine, it’s first important to know a little about the shrine’s origins and purpose.

The Yasukuni Shrine was founded in 1869 by Emperor Meiji (as Tokyo Shokonsha, renamed Yasukuni in 1879) to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives in service of Japan during the Boshin War of 1868–1869. In the century that followed, the shrine was also used to honour the dead from Japan’s other wars and national crises, including the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and the Pacific War (known in Japan at the time as the Greater East Asian War), part of World War II. The shrine records about 2.5 million enshrined spirits, each with a name, place of origin, and date and place of death, and all are venerated equally.

Yasukuni Shrine is not without its fair share of controversy. Among those it remembers are more than a thousand people convicted as war criminals after World War II, including fourteen Class A war criminals who have been enshrined since 1978. Visits to the shrine by Japanese prime ministers and cabinet members have also raised concerns about the separation of religion and state, and China and South Korea see the shrine as a symbol of Japan’s past militarism. In October 2026, for example, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sent a ritual offering to the shrine’s autumn festival instead of visiting in person.

Sightseeing at the Yasukuni Shrine

With a visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, you’ll have the chance to explore the shrine’s grounds and various landmarks therein.
 Entering the grounds, you’ll pass through a rather plain grey, metal torii gate at the entrance, but that isn’t a fair indicator of what this shrine has to offer. There are actually quite a few torii gates here, as well two large stone lanterns erected to honour the Army and Navy.
 Around the shrine area you’ll also spot various statues, but the bronze statue of Omura Masujiro, a key figure in the creation of Japan’s modern army, particularly stands out. Unveiled in 1893, it is said to be Japan’s first Western-style bronze statue. There are also statues honouring the military horses, dogs, and homing pigeons that served Japan’s armed forces.
 Of course, then there’s the main attraction here, the Haiden Main Hall, built in 1901. This is the place within the shrine where visitors pay their respects. The inner sanctuary, the Honden, is generally closed to the public. Nearby is the Sanshuden, an assembly hall with reception rooms that is used for formal occasions.
 The Yasukuni Shrine is also one of the great places in Tokyo to see the cherry blossoms in spring. The grounds have hundreds of cherry trees, including the one the Japan Meteorological Agency uses to announce the official start of the blossom season in Tokyo.

The Yushukan Museum

Besides the shrine buildings you’ll find the Yushukan War Memorial Museum. This large and modern museum details and commemorates Japan’s wars and the national military that has served in them since the Meiji Period. The museum presents a specific perspective on Japan’s military history, and its account of the period from 1931 to 1945 in particular has been criticised for allegedly downplaying war crimes, so it is worth visiting with that context in mind. Its exhibits include a video theatre and military equipment, including a World War II Zero fighter plane.

Tips for Visitors to Yasukuni Shrine

• The shrine is open from 6:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from November to February), with no closing days. The Yushukan Museum is open from 9:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00, and is closed on a few days in late June and late December. Check the official website before you go, as hours and prices can change.
• Visitors enjoy free entry to the Yasukuni Shrine, however there is a 1000 yen fee to visit the Yushukan Museum.
• Remember that this is a sacred religious site and memorial, so it’s important to be respectful and quiet during your visit.
• To see other great Shinto shrines, we recommend reading these articles on the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine and the Ise Grand Shrine.

Visiting the Yasukuni Shrine with the JR Pass

Getting to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo is quite easy using the city’s metro network. The closest station to the shrine is Kudanshita Station, about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1, which is served by the Hanzomon, Tozai, and Shinjuku subway lines. The subway is not covered by your JR Pass, but you can also reach the area on the JR Chuo-Sobu Line: Iidabashi Station and Ichigaya Station are each about a 10-minute walk from the shrine. Check your route in a navigation app before you go.

Coming from Tokyo Station, either walk or take the Marunouchi Subway Line to Otemachi and transfer to the Hanzomon Subway Line. From Shinjuku Station, simply take the Shinjuku Subway Line directly there.

FAQs

1. What is Yasukuni Shrine?

Yasukuni Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Chiyoda, central Tokyo, founded in 1869 by Emperor Meiji. It enshrines about 2.5 million people who died in Japan's wars and conflicts.

2. Why is Yasukuni Shrine controversial?

Among those enshrined are more than a thousand people convicted as war criminals, including fourteen Class A war criminals enshrined in 1978. Visits by politicians have also raised concerns about the separation of religion and state, and China and South Korea see the shrine as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.

3. What are the opening hours and cost?

The shrine is open from 6:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 from November to February) and entry is free. The Yushukan Museum is open from 9:00 to 16:30 and costs 1,000 yen. Check the official website before you go.

4. How do I get to Yasukuni Shrine from Tokyo Station?

Take the Marunouchi subway line to Otemachi and transfer to the Hanzomon line to Kudanshita Station, which is about a 5-minute walk from the shrine. The subway is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

5. Can I reach Yasukuni Shrine with the Japan Rail Pass?

You can travel on JR lines to Iidabashi or Ichigaya Station, each about a 10-minute walk from the shrine, and walk the rest of the way. Check your route in a navigation app before you go.

6. Is Yasukuni Shrine a good place to see cherry blossoms?

Yes. The grounds have hundreds of cherry trees, including the tree that the Japan Meteorological Agency uses to announce the start of the blossom season in Tokyo. The timing varies from year to year.