Tucked away in Tokyo, Aso Shrine is guarded by enormous cypress trees and has a long history spanning more than 1,400 years, with a peaceful, rustic atmosphere. I came here especially to see the “golden needle tree,” which is said to have been growing here since 940 AD. Even after more than a thousand years, it still stands quietly within the shrine grounds, making you marvel at the vitality of nature and history. Perhaps because the location is relatively remote and transportation is not as convenient as at Tokyo’s popular attractions, there were surprisingly almost no tourists even though I visited on a holiday, making the entire shrine exceptionally quiet. With no bustling crowds or noisy commercial atmosphere, it was easier to feel the tranquility and solemnity of an ancient Japanese shrine.
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Aso Shrine (Tokyo)
A Shrine with Over 1400 Years of History, Watched Over by an Enormous Beech Tree.
Aso Shrine is a deeply historical location believed to have been founded in 601, and it is said that historic figures such as Taira no Masakado and Ieyasu Tokugawa visited the shrine for worship. The main shrine building is said to have been built by Taira no Masakado around 931, and after being repaired several times since, it has also been designated as a Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo as an example of early Edo period shrine architecture. The shrine’s enormous beech tree, which was planted around 940 and has been designated as a Natural Monument of Tokyo, stands 18 meters tall. The shrine is located at the end of the Tama River Cycling Road, so many visitors come by bicycle, and as a result the shrine also offers charms for safe bicycle rides.
Highlights
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The main shrine is designated as a tangible cultural property of Tokyo.
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Offers charms for safe bicycle rides.
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Enormous beech tree is a Natural Monument of Tokyo.
Photos
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Aso Shrine
Official FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.
Q
Do you have pamphlets in other languages? (If so, please also inform us of the supported languages)
Sorry, we don’t.
Q
Do you have shrine’s red ink stamps?
Yes.
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Is parking available?
Yes.
Q
Are coin lockers available?
Not available.
Reviews
Some reviews are AI-translated.
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It's not a major tourist spot, but it really feels like a hidden gem that Tokyo has forgotten.
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This place has an old, nostalgic charm and is definitely worth a visit. Right now, you can't go inside, but the outside is open for photos. Still, you can get a really clear view of the whole shrine from outside.
Details
- Name in Japanese
- 阿蘇神社
- Postal Code
- 205-0016
- Address
- 4-6-7 Hanekami, Hamura City, Tokyo
- Telephone
- 042-554-3405
- Closed
- No holidays
- Hours
- Open all day
- Admission
- Free
- Access
- JR Ōme Line: About 5 Minutes By Taxi From Hamura Station Or Ozaku Station (20 Minutes On Foot)
- Official Website
- Official Website (Japanese)