Yasukunijinja Shrine

About Yasukuni Shrine

Yasukuni Shrine is located in Kudan-kita, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, and is about a 5-minute walk from Kudanshita Station on the subway. It began on June 29, 1869, when it was founded by the wish of Emperor Meiji as a place called Shokonsha. Later, in 1879, it was renamed Yasukuni Shrine, the name it still bears today. The name “Yasukuni” expresses the wish to “pacify the nation” — that is, to bring peace to the country and build a peaceful state.

Enshrined Spirits and Their Origins

Yasukuni Shrine enshrines more than 2.466 million spirits who sacrificed their precious lives for the nation, including loyal patriots from the late Edo period as well as those who died in the Boshin War, the Seinan War, the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, the Manchurian Incident, the China Incident, and the Greater East Asia War (World War II).

Those enshrined are not limited to military personnel; they also include wartime nurses, schoolgirls, students who died while working in munitions factories, civilians, people from Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula, those who died while interned in Siberia, and even those executed after the war as war criminals. These spirits are enshrined equally regardless of rank, merit, or gender, with the purpose of honoring those who gave their lives for the nation and passing down their deeds to future generations.

Highlights within the Shrine Grounds

The grounds of Yasukuni Shrine feature many sights of historical and cultural value.

Great Torii Gate: Rising at the top of Kudanzaka, the Great Torii Gate stands about 25 meters tall. It was built in 1921, temporarily removed due to deterioration, and rebuilt in 1974, still displaying its majestic presence today.

Statue of Omura Masujiro: Midway along the approach stands the bronze statue of Omura Masujiro, the founder of the modern Japanese Army. The statue faces away from the main hall and looks toward Ueno, where he once fought, recreating his leadership in the battle against the Shogitai.

Cherry Blossom Standard Tree: Within the grounds is the standard cherry tree used as the benchmark for Tokyo’s cherry blossom forecast. In spring, the shrine becomes crowded with many flower-viewing visitors.

Yushukan: A museum adjacent to Yasukuni Shrine that exhibits letters, personal belongings, valuable historical materials such as a Zero fighter aircraft, and treasures related to the shrine’s history.

Mobile Guide: A “grounds mobile guide” is also available for viewing on smartphones and tablets to help visitors better understand the sights within the shrine grounds (data charges apply).

Annual Events and Visitors

Throughout the year, various rituals and festivals are held at Yasukuni Shrine, which attracts about 5 million visitors annually and is one of Japan’s most visited places of worship.

New Year’s Visits (January): At the start of the year, many people pray for peace and good health in the new year.

Spring and Autumn Grand Festivals (April and October): These are the most important annual festivals, accompanied by various dedication events. Among them, the “dedication sumo wrestling” held during the spring grand festival has been a tradition since the Meiji era.

Sakura Festival (late March to April): Known as a famous cherry blossom spot, Yasukuni Shrine hosts food stalls and dedication performances under the fully blooming cherry trees.

Mitama Festival (July 13–16): A summer tradition in Tokyo since 1947, this festival illuminates the grounds with more than 30,000 lanterns and painted paper lanterns. Bon dances, Nebuta floats, and dedication performances are held, drawing many young people in yukata as well as tourists.

White Dove Release Ceremony (August 15): On the memorial day marking the end of the war, the White Dove Association holds a dove release ceremony. One hundred white doves are released into the sky together with the word “thank you,” offering prayers for peace.

Yasukuni Shrine and Japanese Culture

At the core of Yasukuni Shrine lies the ancient Japanese belief in enshrining the dead as deities. In Japan, as in the worship of ancestors within the family, people have long revered the spirits of those who contributed to the nation and society as guardian deities of the community. Yasukuni Shrine, together with the Gokoku Shrines throughout Japan, can be said to embody this aspect of Japanese culture.