Shrines in Shinjuku Ward

Exploring shrines is a great way to take a break from busy everyday life and calm your mind. Here’s a guide to 13 must-visit shrines in the Shinjuku area—each with unique history and atmosphere.

1. Hanazono Shrine

Hanazono Shrine is a popular place to pray for success in business and performing arts. It becomes especially lively during the Tori-no-Ichi festival in autumn, attracting many worshippers. Within the grounds, the vivid red torii gate of the Itoku Inari Shrine is also a well-known photo spot.

Address: 5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: Right next to Shinjuku Sanchome Station (Exit E2), 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (East Exit)

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2. Naruko Tenjin Shrine

This shrine honors Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. With over a thousand years of history, it’s especially popular among students during exam season. The grounds also feature a mini Mt. Fuji mound where visitors can try a symbolic climb to the top.

Address: 8-14-10 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station (Exit 1), 8 minutes from Tochomae Station (Exit E2), 11 minutes from Shinjuku Station (West Exit), 12 minutes from Seibu Shinjuku Station

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3. Ana Hachiman Shrine

Famous for its traditional horseback archery event (yabusame) held annually. The shrine is also known for blessings in business prosperity and wealth. A unique talisman called “Ichiyō Raifuku Omamori” is distributed between the winter solstice and Setsubun and is meant to be affixed to a wall.

Address: 2-1-11 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5-minute walk from Waseda Station (Exit 3B)

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4. Shinjuku Juniso Kumano Shrine

This shrine is well-known for wishes of good health and romantic relationships. Located near Shinjuku Central Park, the site is surrounded by greenery. Inside the hall, a large ema (votive tablet) depicting seven kabuki actors and the twelve zodiac animals is on display. It’s designated as a tangible cultural property by Shinjuku Ward.

Address: 2-11-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (West Exit), 4 minutes from Tochomae Station (Exit A5)

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5. Akagi Shrine

Located in the Kagurazaka area, Akagi Shrine offers blessings for romantic success and protection from bad fortune. The modern shrine building was reconstructed in 2010 and stands out with its clean design. The flower-shaped “Akagi Hime Enmusubi” charm is particularly popular as a bookmark or for placing inside a goshuin book.

Address: 1-10 Akagimotomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute walk from Kagurazaka Station (Exit 1), 8 minutes from Ushigome-Kagurazaka Station (Exit A3)

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6. Inari Kio Shrine
The only shrine in Japan with “Kio” in its name. Known for healing and protection against illness, especially with its unique “nademamori” charm. A tofu-cutting ritual associated with good health has been passed down since the Edo period. The Bettara-Ichi festival in October is also a local tradition.

Address: 2-17-5 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 min walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station, 7 min from Seibu-Shinjuku Station, 15 min from Shinjuku Station (East Exit)

7. Tsukudo Hachiman Shrine
Known for academic success and protection against evil. Home to the oldest stone torii gate in Shinjuku. A unique Koshin-to monument featuring monkeys with peaches has been designated a local cultural asset.

Address: 2-1 Tsukudo Hachimancho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 6-minute walk from Iidabashi Station

8. Ichigaya Kameoka Hachiman Shrine
Offers blessings for success in academics and business. Also home to Chano-ki Inari Shrine, popular for healing eye diseases. Known for its copper torii and rare cultural items like a war fan believed to have been donated by a samurai general in the Muromachi period. Pets are welcome here too!

Address: 15 Ichigaya Hachimancho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Access: 1 min walk from Ichigaya Station (Exit 7), 3 min from other Ichigaya Station exits

9. Suga Shrine
Offers blessings for love and protection from misfortune. The “Otoko-zaka,” an 83-step stone stairway near the shrine, is famously featured in the animated movie “Your Name.”

Address: 5-6 Sugacho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 7-minute walk from Yotsuya-Sanchome Station, 10 minutes from Yotsuya Station

10. Nishimuki Tenjin Shrine
Dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the god of scholarship. Unlike most shrines that face south or east, this one uniquely faces west toward Dazaifu. The spacious grounds, filled with trees such as chinquapin, offer a surprisingly quiet atmosphere for central Tokyo.

Address: 6-21-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (East Exit), 10 minutes from Shinjuku 3-chome Station, 3 minutes from Higashi-Shinjuku Station

11. Yoroi Shrine
This shrine is said to enshrine the armor of the legendary samurai Taira no Masakado. It offers blessings for success in business, fortune, and protection from misfortune. The guardian dog-shaped Koshin monument on-site is designated as a tangible folk cultural asset of Shinjuku Ward.

Address: 3-16-18 Kitashinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 11-minute walk from Okubo Station, 14 minutes from Higashi-Nakano Station

12. Kuzugaya Goryo Shrine
A quiet and lush shrine known for blessings related to safe childbirth and longevity. Every January 13, it hosts the traditional Bishamatsuri ritual, where archery is performed to pray for agricultural success and easy deliveries—a rare event that takes place in only two Tokyo locations.

Address: 2-17-17 Nishi-Ochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 11-minute walk from Ochiai-Minami-Nagasaki Station, 7 minutes from Arai Yakushi-mae Station (North Exit)

13. Tsukimioka Hachiman Shrine
The name of the shrine originates from the moonlight reflecting beautifully off spring water at its old location. Known for blessings of career advancement and victory. The annual grand festival takes place in September.

Address: 1-26-19 Kamiochiai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5-minute walk from Ochiai Station

That concludes our introduction to the shrines of Shinjuku Ward.

To make the most of your visit, be sure to learn about proper etiquette when visiting a shrine:

■ Learn about Japanese shrine etiquette

Next time you’re in Shinjuku, why not take a peaceful stroll and visit some of these sacred places?