Shrine · Ueno / Inaricho

Shitaya Shrine 下谷神社

Said to be Tokyo's oldest Inari shrine, founded in the Nara period, near Ueno and the site of Edo's first public storytelling (yose) performance.

HoursGrounds open daily

ClosedNone

PriceFree

Getting thereInaricho Station (Ginza Line), 2 min; JR Ueno Station, 6 min

Time needed15-20 min

Best timeEarly May festival

Address3-29-8 Higashi-Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0015

Websiteshitayajinja.or.jp

About

Shitaya Shrine enshrines Otoshi-no-kami, a god of harvests and commerce, and Yamato Takeru. Founded in the Nara period, it describes itself as the oldest Inari shrine in Tokyo. The first yose (variety theatre for rakugo storytelling) in Edo was held here in 1798, and a stone monument in the grounds marks it as the birthplace of yose.

Highlights

Oldest Inari shrine in Tokyo by shrine tradition
Monument to the birthplace of yose theatre
Rebuilt hall that survived the wartime air raids
Lively festival in May

Tips

Rakugo fans can continue to Suzumoto Engeijo in Ueno
Easy stop between Ueno and Kappabashi

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10

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Shitaya Shrine 下谷神社

About

Highlights

Tips

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