Todaimae Walking Guide — Nezu Shrine and Five Temples

The area around Todaimae Station has 6 walking spots, ranging from a shrine to temples. Five of them are temples and the remaining one is Nezu Shrine, which shows how many old places of worship this neighborhood holds. None of the spots have a paid budget listed, so a day built around visiting them costs almost nothing.

A suggested order

Start at [Nezu Shrine](/en/spot/3b43db0e-9f28-4bb6-a09f-b73f473e6db6), then link the temples together: [Saikyo-ji](/en/spot/8989969d-eb08-4f34-9e4b-e206e7db275e), [Gangyoji Temple](/en/spot/275eed33-c591-49cd-b93a-d2da5f82447e), [Kōmyō-ji](/en/spot/cc02cbcd-c950-4dc1-a095-335bd6330802), [Saizen-ji Temple](/en/spot/0e7be424-3b41-41ad-b073-b7cdef59bdb8), and [Shogyoji Temple](/en/spot/237e5859-be0b-4ae3-8b2f-cd016c77fe3a). Beginning at the one shrine gives you a feel for the area, and the second half becomes a quiet temple-to-temple stretch. All 6 spots list Todaimae Station as their nearest station, so the route loops naturally around the station.

Nezu Shrine

The only shrine among the six spots in this area. Surrounded by five temples, it works as the clearest landmark to begin from. Walk the grounds first, then move on to the temple portion of the day.

Saikyo-ji

One of the temples listed with Todaimae Station as its nearest station. It fits easily as the first temple to visit after leaving Nezu Shrine. Treat it as the doorway into the quieter half of the walk.

Gangyoji Temple

Another temple spot in the Todaimae area. Visiting it right after Saikyo-ji sets up a steady rhythm of walking from one temple to the next. Comparing the grounds side by side shows how differently each temple presents itself.

Kōmyō-ji

A good spot to place in the middle of the six. After the shrine and two temples, this is where you slow the pace down. It is also the point where the density of temples in this area really registers.

Saizen-ji Temple

One of the temples to save for the later part of the walk. It is a different temple from the similarly named Saikyo-ji, so check the map before heading over. By this stage you have covered some ground, so build in a rest if you need one.

Shogyoji Temple

The temple that closes out this route. By the time you arrive you will have visited all 6 spots: one shrine and five temples. Pause in the quiet grounds before heading back to Todaimae Station.

One closing tip

None of the 6 spots in this area have an entry price recorded, so apart from food and drink, the walk itself costs almost nothing. Shrines and temples are places people come to be quiet, so check the posted signs before taking photos and keep out of the way of those visiting to pray.