NEZU SHRINE 根津神社 and a hidden lunch spot at Tokyo University

Quiet, beautiful Nezu Shrine and a visit to Tokyo University

NEZU SHRINE 根津神社 and a hidden lunch spot at Tokyo University

1 Nezu Shrine

1.1 History
1.2 Key features
1.3 Komagome Inari Shrine within Nezu Shrine
1.4 Power spots

2 Hidden lunch spot at Tokyo University

1 Nezu Shrine

Close to UENO, NEZU JINJA (Nezu Shrine) is situated in Nezu, right next to TOKYO UNIVERSITY campus. Very easy access from two metro stations, Nezu and Todaimae.

Famous for the beautiful vermillion Torii gates and the 2000 azaleas in the spring. Said to bring luck for love, business, admission to schools and so on. One of the popular spots for Japanese weddings.

1.1 History of Nezu Shrine
Over 1900 years ago, legendary priest Yamato Takeru established this shrine. During the Edo Period (1603-1868), the 5th Tokugawa Shogun, Tsunayoshi, relocated it to the current place. Most of the shrine have escaped the disasters like earthquake, fire, WWII Tokyo air raids and thus are originals from 1706.

1.2 Key features
Vermillion Shinto torii gates lead up to the small OTOME INARI SHRINE　乙女稲荷神社, which is shrine for women (OTOME means women). It is said to be one of the `power spots`, where prayers for love come true.

Go from North to South, to cleanse the bad spirits away. The many torii gates show the devotion and gratitude (through donation) of the worshippers whose wishes came true.

Foxes are said to be servants of `OINARI san` お稲荷さん, friendly way of saying INARI SHRINE.
FUSHIMIINARI SHRINE in KYOTO is on top of the hierarchy of the 30,000 smaller ones throughout Japan, including this one.

Very picturesque, with a small pond with lots of colorful carp.

1.3 KOMAGOME　INARI Shrine

Next to the OTOME INARI Shrine

Check out the cute mother and baby fox!

MAIN sanctuary 本殿

Same style as that of NIKKO　SHRINE.

1.4 Another POWER SPOT
Long time ago, a white sacred snake used to live here and people`s wishes came true.
You can buy the omikuji おみぐじ/fortune telling and wrap it around the tree.

You can buy the Omikuji here plus different types of lucky charms.

Trees here are impressive. Feel the history.

https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/shritemp/nezujinja.html

official homepage (only in Japanese)
http://www.nedujinja.or.jp/index.html

2 HIDDEN LUNCH SPOT near the shrine, at Tokyo University

Inside the TOKYO UNIVERSITY`s Department of Agriculture (next to the shrine), there is a small restaurant, AREUVOIR (means `oasis for animals`). They provide healthy, delicious food in a very relaxing atmosphere. It is hidden away at the far NW corner of the campus, in Mukougaoka Faculty House. Enjoy the stroll in the University as well.

Gate to the campus