Local Secret · Ochanomizu / Yushima
Yushima Seido 湯島聖堂
Black-lacquered Confucian temple near Ochanomizu, once the shogunate's top school, with a 4.57 m bronze statue of Confucius.
Hours9:30-17:00 (winter until 16:00)
ClosedSummer break (mid August) and year-end
PriceFree
Getting thereOchanomizu Station (JR / Marunouchi Line), 2-5 min walk; Shin-Ochanomizu Station (Chiyoda Line), 5 min
Time needed30 minutes
Best timeWeekends and holidays when the Taiseiden hall is open; exam season in January-February
Address1-4-25 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo
Websiteseido.or.jp
About
Yushima Seido was founded in 1690 by shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi as a Confucian shrine and later became the Shoheizaka academy, the shogunate's official school. The present black wooden halls, including the Taiseiden, were rebuilt in concrete in 1935 after the 1923 earthquake. A 4.57 m bronze statue of Confucius stands in the grounds, and students visit to pray for exam success.
Highlights
- Sober black-lacquered Taiseiden hall
- Large bronze statue of Confucius
- Birthplace of Japan's modern school system
- Quiet grounds a few steps from Ochanomizu Station
Tips
- The Taiseiden interior opens mainly on weekends and holidays
- Pair with Kanda Myojin across the road
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-10
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