Hie Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Nagatachō, Chiyoda, surrounded by Tokyo office buildings. Its vermilion torii gates form a striking passage on the hillside approach, while monkey statues stand as guardians instead of the more familiar lion-dogs. The grounds offer a quiet pause amid the city, with smaller shrines to explore around the main sanctuary. Admission is free, and you can reach the upper grounds by stairs or escalator. Come for the gates, the setting and a calm walk through a working place of worship.
A shrine moved to its present site
Hie Shrine was established in 1478 and once stood within the grounds of Edo Castle. In 1659, it was moved to its current location by the son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Today, the shrine sits in Nagatachō, Chiyoda, among office buildings that make its traditional architecture and grounds feel distinct from the surrounding streets.
The shrine is associated with the protection of Edo Castle and the Imperial Palace. Its history is also tied to the Sanno Festival, one of the major festivals of Edo. The festival’s main events take place in even-numbered years, with activities also held in odd-numbered years.
Torii gates and monkey guardians
One of the most memorable approaches leads through a row of vermilion torii gates. The passage is shorter than the famous gate route at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto, but it gives you a chance to see this style of shrine approach without leaving Tokyo. The gates also make a vivid contrast with the buildings around the shrine.
Look for the monkey statues, which serve as messengers of the gods here in place of the lion-dog guardians seen at many other shrines. The main sanctuary and the smaller shrines around it give the grounds several corners to explore. The current shrine pavilion has 123 board paintings commemorating its reconstruction, and the Sanno torii gate is another detail to look for.
Getting around the grounds
The shrine stands on a hill. Stairs lead up toward the grounds, and escalators provide an alternative route to the top. The main entrance is accessible, and the grounds include several approaches, so follow directions to the entrance you intend to use.
Hie Shrine is an active place of worship as well as a sight to visit. You may encounter people stopping to pray, so leave space for them and behave quietly near the sanctuary. The shrine is free to enter. If you are interested in a goshuin, plan for that service separately from your walk around the grounds, since its counter may close before the shrine itself.
Perguntas frequentes
Is Hie Shrine free to visit?
Yes. Admission to the shrine grounds is free.
How do you get to the top of Hie Shrine?
You can climb the stairs or use the escalator to reach the upper grounds.
What is distinctive about Hie Shrine’s guardians?
Monkey statues act as messengers of the gods, rather than the lion-dog figures found at many other shrines.
When is the Sanno Festival held?
Festival activities take place in both odd- and even-numbered years, but the main events happen in even-numbered years.
