Yushima Tenjin

Ueno & Yanesen


In the 14th century, the spirit of a renowned scholar was enshrined here, leading to the shrine's current popularity: it receives countless students who come to pray for academic success, especially during school-entrance-exam season. It's an attractive shrine that's famous for its display of ume (plum) blossoms in February and March.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Ueno & Yanesen attractions

1. Kyū Iwasaki-teien

0.13 MILES

This grand residence offers a Western-style mansion designed by Josiah Conder in 1896, connected to a Japanese house built by Ōkawa Kijuro at the same…

2. Yokoyama Taikan Memorial Hall

0.24 MILES

Early-20th-century artist Yokoyama Taikan was one of the masters of modern nihonga (Japanese-style painting). Inside his former residence, a traditional…

3. Shinobazu-ike

0.29 MILES

A key feature of Ueno-kōen is this large, natural pond, much of which is completely covered with giant lotuses that bloom in summer. Go bird- and botany…

4. 3331 Arts Chiyoda

0.31 MILES

A major exhibition space, smaller art galleries and creative studios now occupy this former high school, which has evolved into a forward-thinking arts…

5. Shitamachi Museum

0.32 MILES

This small museum recreates life in the plebeian quarters of Tokyo during the Meiji and Taishō periods (1868–1926), before the city was twice destroyed by…

6. Benten-dō

0.36 MILES

Take a stroll down the causeway leading to the island on which Benten-dō stands. The temple is dedicated to Benzaiten, the Buddhist goddess of the arts,…

7. Origami Kaikan

0.36 MILES

This exhibition centre and workshop is dedicated to the quintessential Japanese art of origami, which you can learn to do yourself in classes here. There…

8. Ameya-yokochō

0.39 MILES

One of Tokyo's few remaining open-air markets, Ameya-yokochō got its start as a black market, post-WWII, when American goods (which included ameya – candy…