ASAGAYA SHINMEIGU SHRINE

Beautiful Historic Shrine
[updated October 2026]

In only a two-minute walk to the north from Asagaya Station, you can reach this historic shrine. The shrine is so serine and spacious that you may not believe you are right in the middle of a busy shopping area. This shrine has a long 1700 years of history, and is known for warding off evil.

In late March when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, Kan-okai, a special event to appreciate the blossoms of the shrine, is held. Dances and songs to the God are performed by the shrine maidens and also a party is held under the cherry trees in the compound. This cherry blossom party is open to anybody and free sake and food is served. The date of the party is decided depending on when the cherry blossoms bloom, and may vary year to year. However, cherry blossom season in Tokyo area is typically late March – early April.

May also has a Noh performance event, Asagaya Takiginoh, which is usually held on the Noh Stage in Shinmeigu. The stage is not only used for traditional Noh performances, but also the Asagaya Bali Dance Festival in early August and the Asagaya Jazz Streets festival in late October. There are also fall shrine events held on the grounds throughout the month of September.

A portable shrine shrine called a mikoshi will be carried through the streets of Asagaya in a parade-like atmosphere, ending up back at Asagaya Shinemeigu Shrine as part of the autumn events.

Street food stalls are often open during the autumn shrine events.

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Translation: Y. Ikeno
Photography: Amanda, TFF staff