Between the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku is Hanozono Shrine, an oasis of calm. Come here to breathe, and escape the crowds outside.
Hanozono Shrine - image © Florentyna Leow
The visitor’s first impression of the Shinjuku area is usually of non-stop chaos, with thousands of people walking to and from the station and everywhere in between. But there are surprising oases of calm to be found here. One is Shinjuku Gyoen. Another is Hanazono Shrine, a venerable, historical shrine that also happens to be a quiet respite from the urban madness outside. It is dedicated to Inari, one of the Shinto gods of fertility and worldly success.
Hanazono Shrine dates back to the Edo period, and was once part of the Imperial Gardens. Like most shrines, it regularly hosts a number of festivals, ranging from the more traditional (Setsubun in February) to the colorful Bird Festival in November. Most Sundays, it hosts an antique flea market. More unusually, it also hosts performances by a popular Japanese theatrical company, Karakumi, twice a year on the shrine grounds. This is entirely in line with its affiliations with public entertainment: it is also home to Geino Asama shrine, where one can pay respects to the god of public entertainment and media. As you may have surmised, it’s not entirely uncommon to spot Japanese celebrities at Hanazono Shrine. Follow a visit here with a drink at Golden Gai.
English name:
Hanazono-jinja Shrine (Shinto shrine)
Japanese name:
花園神社
English address:
5-17-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022
Japanese address:
〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿5-17-3
Opening hours:
24h
Admission:
free
Nearest Transport:
Subway: Neighbor of exit E2 of Shinjuku-sanchome Station on the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi and Fukutoshin lines, and Toei Shinjuku line.
Train: 7-minute walk from the east exit of Shinjuku Station.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Hanazono Shrine on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-3-3209-5265
Website:
Near To Here:
Hanazono Shrine is located in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. See our complete list of things to do in Shinjuku, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Is This Place Located?
See this place on the Truly Tokyo Google map:- Open the Tokyo map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Tokyo much easier - here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
