Yasukuni Shrine

靖國神社 Yasukuni-jinja

A controversial shrine to Japan's war dead, housing the souls of some 2.5 million people killed in Japan's wars — including convicted war criminals executed by the Allies. A favorite haunt of right-wing groups in black loudspeaker-equipped trucks, and often visited by Japanese and Taiwanese politicians, drawing sharp criticisms from neighbors China and South Korea in the process. Consider keeping your visit to the shrine secret if you have Chinese or Korean friends or relatives. Open daily and free entrance adjacent to Metro Hanzomon line Kudanshita station, or cross the bridge north from Kitanomaru Park. Festivals take place most notably in mid-July and mid-October, which can attract as many people and vendors as it does on New Year's Day when the Japanese come to pray for a prosperous year. It can also get quite crowded during cherry blossom season.

• outdoors

Address

3-1-1 Kudan-kita

Website

yasukuni.or.jp (opens in a new tab)