Otori Shrine Asakusa
Otori Shrine in Asakusa, famous for its lively November Tori no Ichi festival featuring lucky bamboo rakes (kumade) and festive stalls.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Experience the lively Tori no Ichi
Otori Shrine Asakusa
Best Time
Experience the lively Tori no Ichi
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Otori Shrine in Asakusa, famous for its lively November Tori no Ichi festival featuring lucky bamboo rakes (kumade) and festive stalls.
"Going here for the Tori no Ichi festival is a great time to visit the temple. It is lively, full of stands selling kumade."
🎯 Plan for Tori no Ichi Crowds
Visit early or late on festival days to avoid the biggest crowds.
💰 Buy a Kumade Rake
Purchase a decorated bamboo rake for good luck and business prosperity.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Tori no Ichi Festival
Otori Shrine grounds
Experience Tokyo's vibrant November festival with stalls selling lucky bamboo rakes (kumade) and festive food.
Unique Okame Donation Box
Main shrine building
A distinctive feature with a giant Okame face, adding a touch of playful charm to the shrine.
Goshuin Collection
Shrine reception desk
Obtain a unique goshuin (temple stamp) as a memento of your visit. Check for special festival designs.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Tori no Ichi
Goshuin & Festival Etiquette
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Plan for Tori no Ichi Crowds
Visit early or late on festival days to avoid the biggest crowds.
💰 Buy a Kumade Rake
Purchase a decorated bamboo rake for good luck and business prosperity.
🍜 Sample Festival Food
Enjoy street food like chocolate bananas and yakiniku.
📜 Get Your Goshuin
Check for pre-registration and special designs during events.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Plan for Tori no Ichi Crowds
Visit early or late on festival days to avoid the biggest crowds.
💰 Buy a Kumade Rake
Purchase a decorated bamboo rake for good luck and business prosperity.
🍜 Sample Festival Food
Enjoy street food like chocolate bananas and yakiniku.
📜 Get Your Goshuin
Check for pre-registration and special designs during events.
🚶♀️ Explore Nearby Asakusa
Combine your visit with Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Otori Shrine is cherished for its vibrant Tori no Ichi festival, offering a lively atmosphere with stalls selling lucky kumade and delicious street food. Visitors appreciate its unique features like the Okame donation box and the opportunity to collect a goshuin. While the festival can be extremely crowded, the shrine is generally well-maintained and offers a memorable cultural experience.
"A old and beautiful temple
They have special event sometime
This year will be these three days
24hours many people come to return and buy their new mascots(they call bear’s hands) because the shapes, pray for family, business ….."
aki yeh
"Very cool shrine in Tokyo. Looks larger than usual. Well kept and staff there from 9:00."
Daniel Scott
"I visited here for7 luckyGod Pilgrimage. Very crowded today. This shrine is famous for the 1st place of "Tori no Ichi" Festival."
星野浩
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Otori Shrine is easily accessible by public transport. Take the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line or Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station. From there, it's a short walk.
Yes, it's located in the vibrant Asakusa district, making it convenient to visit alongside Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori shopping street.
Parking is limited in the Asakusa area. It's generally recommended to use public transportation to reach the shrine.
During the Tori no Ichi festival, expect crowds. Public transport is highly recommended, but be prepared for busy stations and walking routes.
The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Toei Asakusa Line to Asakusa Station are the most direct routes.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, entry to Otori Shrine itself is free. However, you may wish to purchase charms, goshuin, or participate in festival activities.
The shrine grounds are generally open from early morning (around 9:00 AM) until evening. During the Tori no Ichi festival, it may be open 24 hours on the main days.
While entry to the shrine is free, some sources suggest pre-registration might be required for certain aspects of the festival, especially for goshuin. It's best to check official announcements closer to the date.
Yes, you can get a goshuin. Be aware that during busy periods like Tori no Ichi, there might be long queues or specific procedures.
Otori Shrine is known for its Tori no Ichi festival, but it also participates in the Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The shrine is most famous for hosting the lively Tori no Ichi festival in November, where visitors buy decorated bamboo rakes (kumade) for good luck.
Expect a vibrant atmosphere with numerous stalls selling kumade, festive food, games, and a large number of visitors. It's a very popular event.
Yes, the shrine has a distinctive donation box featuring a large Okame face, and you might hear drumming music in the background.
Outside of the Tori no Ichi festival, the shrine can offer a peaceful experience. During renovations, it remained clear and clean.
Visitors often pray for family well-being, business prosperity, and good luck, especially when purchasing a kumade.
🍽️ 🍴 Food & Dining
During the Tori no Ichi festival, the area around the shrine is filled with food stalls selling popular Japanese festival snacks like chocolate bananas, candy, and alcohol, as well as yakiniku.
Yes, the surrounding Asakusa area offers a wide variety of dining options, from traditional Japanese cuisine to international flavors.
Vegetarian options might be limited at the festival stalls, which tend to focus on classic Japanese street food. Exploring nearby restaurants in Asakusa would offer more variety.
Festival food prices are generally reasonable, typical for street food in Japan.
One visitor mentioned receiving free tea refreshments at the reception desk.
📸 📸 Photography
Photography is generally allowed at Otori Shrine, but always be respectful of worshippers and avoid intrusive photography, especially during ceremonies or prayer times.
The unique Okame donation box, the vibrant kumade stalls during Tori no Ichi, and the shrine's architecture are great subjects. Capturing the lively festival atmosphere is also a must.
For fewer crowds and a more serene atmosphere, visit early in the morning. For vibrant festival shots, the Tori no Ichi days are ideal, but be prepared for crowds.
Drone photography is generally not permitted in and around shrines and temples in Japan due to privacy and safety concerns.
You can photograph your own goshuin as a souvenir, but avoid photographing the process of the calligrapher or other visitors' goshuin without permission.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Outside of the festival, the shrine offers a more peaceful environment. The unique Okame face donation box is a fun detail that might capture kids' attention. If you're interested in souvenirs, the kumade, while symbolic, can also be visually interesting for children. Remember to bring comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking, and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas.
⛩️ Culture Enthusiasts & Pilgrims
Collecting goshuin is another key activity for pilgrims and culture enthusiasts. Otori Shrine's unique stamps provide a tangible connection to the spiritual site. Additionally, the shrine's participation in the Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage makes it a point of interest for those undertaking such spiritual journeys.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Significance of Tori no Ichi
Visitors flock to Otori Shrine during Tori no Ichi to purchase new kumade, often upgrading from their previous year's rake to a larger and more elaborate one. It's a tradition to burn or respectfully dispose of the old kumade before buying a new one. The atmosphere is electric, with countless stalls lining the streets around the shrine, selling everything from the kumade themselves to a wide array of delicious festival foods and games.
If you plan to visit during Tori no Ichi, be prepared for immense crowds. The festival is incredibly popular, drawing locals and tourists alike. Visiting early in the morning or late at night can offer a slightly less congested experience, though the energy of the festival is palpable at all hours. It's a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a vibrant Japanese tradition and experience a truly unique cultural event.
Understanding Goshuin at Otori Shrine
When visiting Otori Shrine, especially during peak times like the Tori no Ichi festival, it's important to be aware of the process for obtaining a goshuin. While the shrine is generally accommodating, there might be specific procedures or even pre-registration requirements during major events. It's advisable to check for any announcements or guidelines beforehand, as suggested by some traveler discussions.
Be prepared for potential queues if you're seeking a goshuin during a busy period. The shrine staff are usually diligent in their work, but the popularity of goshuin means that waiting times can occur. Having your goshuin book ready and being patient will ensure a smooth experience. The unique designs available at Otori Shrine make the effort worthwhile for collectors.
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