Nezu Shrine

Nezu Shrine in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, occupies a valley between the Hongo and Ueno plateaus. Seven of its Edo-period buildings — main hall, offering hall, oratory, karamon gate, west gate, transparent fence and romon gate — are designated Important Cultural Properties. The shrine enshrines Susanoo no Mikoto, Oyamakui no Mikoto and Homutawake no Mikoto (Emperor Ojin), with Okuninushi and Sugawara no Michizane associated. Shrine tradition places its founding in the campaign of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto recorded in Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE). The current site and complex date from 1706 under the fifth shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, when the shrine was designated tutelary of his successor Ienobu. The September reisai is counted among the three great Edo festivals and the April azalea festival draws large crowds.