Enjoy a glimpse into Japan’s Edo-period grandeur in one of Tokyo’s most popular districts.

Founded in 1627, the shrine is dedicated to the memory of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The main structure (Honden), also known as Golden Hall, was rebuilt in 1651 by Tokugawa Iemitsu and has remarkably remained intact, surviving earthquakes, fires, and wars, and maintaining its original form for nearly four centuries. The hall, richly decorated with gold leaf and intricate carvings, stands as a testament to the opulence and craftsmanship of Edo architecture. Designated an Important Cultural Property, it remains one of the few surviving examples of that era’s shrine construction and a place of prayer for good fortune.

Within the same precinct of the shrine lies the Ueno Toshogu Peony Garden, a strolling-style Japanese garden that adds a touch of nature to the historical site. Established in 1980 to commemorate the friendship between Japan and China, the garden offers stunning displays of seasonal flowers throughout the year. In spring, you can admire around 500 peony plants representing 110 varieties that bloom in vivid colors, while winter brings 160 plants of 40 varieties carefully protected under straw huts (warabocchi) to withstand the cold. In autumn, visitors can admire 200 dahlias of 100 varieties, protected under the shade of Japanese umbrellas. Walking through the garden, you'll enjoy the beauty of flowers set against traditional Japanese architecture, feeling the atmosphere of the Edo period with the five-storied pagoda and lanterns.