Best temples in Tokyo

Tokyo's oldest temple, at the center of Asakusa.

"Tokyo's oldest temple, at the center of Asakusa."

A Shinto shrine a step from Harajuku station, reached through a spiritual forest that helps you forget everyday stress.

"A Shinto shrine a step from Harajuku station, reached through a spiritual forest that helps you forg"

A shrine hidden between Akasaka and Nagatacho stations with one of Tokyo's most beautiful and photogenic torii gate corridors.

"A shrine hidden between Akasaka and Nagatacho stations with one of Tokyo's most beautiful and photog"

A Buddhist temple in Setagaya, about 30 minutes from Shinjuku, said to be a possible birthplace of the lucky maneki-neko cat. Its huge collection of maneki-neko is unlike anywhere else.

"A Buddhist temple in Setagaya, about 30 minutes from Shinjuku, said to be a possible birthplace of t"

An iconic pagoda reached by 397 steps, with a classic view of Mount Fuji from the top.

"An iconic pagoda reached by 397 steps, with a classic view of Mount Fuji from the top."

A quirky, less touristy hidden shrine dedicated to Admiral Togo Heihachiro, who was born in 1847.

"A quirky, less touristy hidden shrine dedicated to Admiral Togo Heihachiro, who was born in 1847."

A small shrine in Akasaka with perhaps Japan's most impressive collection of fox statues, set amid a maze of lanterns and incense.

"A small shrine in Akasaka with perhaps Japan's most impressive collection of fox statues, set amid a"

A 1,500-year-old love and marriage shrine with a huge torii gate. In summer its walkway becomes a tunnel of 5,000 wind chimes.

"A 1,500-year-old love and marriage shrine with a huge torii gate. In summer its walkway becomes a tu"

One of Japan's three great shrines to the goddess Benzaiten, with water features and a spring where visitors wash coins for wealth.

"One of Japan's three great shrines to the goddess Benzaiten, with water features and a spring where "

A 13 m, 121-ton bronze Buddha from the 13th century that has sat outdoors since a tsunami washed away its hall in 1498.

"A 13 m, 121-ton bronze Buddha from the 13th century that has sat outdoors since a tsunami washed awa"

A Zen temple with a magical bamboo grove of over 2,000 stalks and a tea house for matcha. It is a quieter alternative to Arashiyama.

"A Zen temple with a magical bamboo grove of over 2,000 stalks and a tea house for matcha. It is a qu"

A shrine believed to date to the 10th century, nestled among the glass towers of Tokyo's financial district. It is a popular photo spot that contrasts old and new.

"A shrine believed to date to the 10th century, nestled among the glass towers of Tokyo's financial d"

One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, famous for its tunnel of torii gates and azalea blooms each April.

"One of Japan's oldest Shinto shrines, famous for its tunnel of torii gates and azalea blooms each Ap"

A controversial but beautiful shrine across the road from Kitanomaru Park. During the summer Mitama Festival, over 30,000 lanterns light up its walls.

"A controversial but beautiful shrine across the road from Kitanomaru Park. During the summer Mitama "

A temple hall in Ueno Park that sits on an island in Shinobazu Pond.

"A temple hall in Ueno Park that sits on an island in Shinobazu Pond."

A Buddhist temple with beautiful views towards Tokyo Tower, a good alternative if you lack time for the observation decks.

"A Buddhist temple with beautiful views towards Tokyo Tower, a good alternative if you lack time for "

This Kyoto-like temple is over 300 years old. A pine tree said to resemble a flying dragon stands in front, and you can pay to enter its garden.

"This Kyoto-like temple is over 300 years old. A pine tree said to resemble a flying dragon stands in"

People visit this shrine to pray for financial luck, and it sells tiny snake ornaments with golden poo. Its Nadeja-sama statue is said to reveal your fortune through its expression, and you stroke its face to make the fortune come true.

"People visit this shrine to pray for financial luck, and it sells tiny snake ornaments with golden p"

A small temple at the end of Yanaka Cemetery, home to a beautiful Buddha statue.

"A small temple at the end of Yanaka Cemetery, home to a beautiful Buddha statue."

A shrine open 24 hours, best visited by day to admire its bright vermilion torii gates. It is especially pretty in cherry blossom season.

"A shrine open 24 hours, best visited by day to admire its bright vermilion torii gates. It is especi"