What other travelers are saying about Yasukuni Shrine
A beautiful and vast shrine with a presence. The large tori gate greeting you as you enter the shrine makes this temple unique among the temple in Tokyo. When you enter the temple, you are greeted with a large public area with many sections to explore. Going near the end of the day is unique as you get to see the sun setting over the tori gate and the temple.
Yasukuni Shrine enshrines 14 Class-A war criminals among the 2.5 million war dead commemorated there. These individuals were convicted by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East after World War II.
The name "Yasukuni," derived from a phrase in classical Chinese literature, means "peaceful country" or "pacifying the nation." The shrine's name reflects its purpose of honoring the dead, thereby bringing peace to their spirits and ensuring the nation remains at peace.
Yasukuni Shrine was established in 1869, making it over 150 years old as of the current date. It was founded to commemorate and honor the victims of the Boshin War, a civil war that led to the Meiji Restoration, and has since expanded its commemoration to include those who died in conflicts involving Japan up until the end of World War II.
It's beautiful. The shrine is dedicated to the respect of all those who died fighting for Japan from the Meiji Era onward. There is the shrine proper, the Yushukan a museum to preserve the memory of the kami, an archive, a beautiful garden and several monuments.
The shrine is very important and there is a lot of people there during the day. The best time to be there is very early in the morning.
Very beautiful and peaceful place. They were doing construction before an event so there was scaffolding, but even that was pretty. Inside the museum is a nice gift shop and a pretty public toilet. Quick note, if you want to take a photo of the shrine, take it from the side near the gravel (or the guard will politely remind you).
Very big temple with - parking, vending machines, museum, food stalls and largely many festivals and ceremonies held very frequently. One of the best places to visit and experience the difference - pleasant and lively location with lot of Ginko trees and tree shades to beat the heat while in summer, beat the cold with fantastic views in winter, thrilling views during autumn with the color changes … a place one should never miss.
Founded by Emperor Meiji in June 1869 to commemorate those who died in service for Japan.
The shrine contains names of almost 2,5 million men including one thousand war criminals there of whom 12 were charged with class A crimes.
Because of this controversy the last two emperors never visited the shrine.
There's also a military museum adjacent to the shrine.
