Hie Shrine
A hilltop shrine in central Tokyo, with escalators beside its steps.
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Hie Shrine
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A hilltop shrine in central Tokyo, with escalators beside its steps.
Monkey statues stand in place of guardian dogs, and a path of red torii gates, rare in Tokyo, leads back down.
MoreWhat kind of place
The shrine presents itself as home to the guardian deity of Edo Castle, and after the Great Fire of 1657 destroyed it, the fourth shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna, had it built on the present site, where the shrine says it has stood since 1659.
Since the third shogun, Iemitsu, the shoguns' family made it a custom to bring babies to this shrine for a first shrine visit, and the shrine says the custom spread across Japan.
Its buildings later burned in the 1945 air raids and today's date from 1958, and the shrine is now rebuilding its tower gate, the Romon, which the raids also destroyed, as the centerpiece of events for the 550th anniversary of its enshrinement at Edo Castle in 2028.
With kidsThe part that matters
The Senbon Torii (“thousand gates”), a path of red torii, is a walk one 3-year-old begged to take just as his family was leaving. Escalators beside the stone steps make getting up part of the outing.
Even the climb is a game: a girl of about two walked, got carried partway, then rode up. Up top, monkey statues stand before the main hall where guardian dogs usually do, and the mother monkey holds a baby. So the loop: ride up, meet the monkeys, walk down through the red gates.
By age0-1 / 2-3 / 4-6
- Ages 0-1At the New Year crowd on January 4, 2017, a parent of a 5-month-old folded the stroller away on arrival and switched to a carrier. At blessings, babies reacted differently: a 99-day-old stared wide-eyed throughout and another cried hard, while a 3-month-old who had been fed and taken out of the outfit in the waiting room stayed quiet.
- Ages 2-3A girl of about two started up the steps herself and was carried partway, and the family's children ran the long steps both ways (January 2021). After a Shichi-go-san blessing (a blessing for young children), a 3-year-old who had sat still stacked pebbles and jumped outside, and one family suggests a kimono-safe snack such as gummies for a bored 3-year-old.
- Ages 4-6One family's 5-year-old, booked on the shrine's paid Shichi-go-san package (the "Nagomi plan"), had dressing, photos, the blessing and, for those who wanted it, a meal all inside the grounds, so kimono did not wear the child out (December 2018). After the Shichi-go-san blessing, each child receives one of three keepsakes: a doll, an Ultraman figure or a shrine bus.
By weatherRain, heat, cold
- Rainy dayThe grounds have more roofed areas than one visitor expected, and on a typhoon day in September 2022 a family there for a baby's first shrine visit had them almost to themselves.
- Hot dayA 3-month-old changed into the outfit on arrival in the heat (an October 2023 holiday weekend) became very cranky, and the parents' lesson was to dress at home and feed the baby before the photos.
- Cold dayNot checked yet
How was it with your kids?
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Family checks✓ easy for your family
- ElevatorElevator：with conditionsconditions
- Stroller OKStroller friendly：yes
- RentalStroller rental：not checked
- NursingNursing space：with conditionsconditions
- ChangingDiaper changing table：with conditionsconditions
- Diaper binDiaper disposal bin：with conditionsconditions
- Family WCFamily restroom：yes
- Own foodOutside food allowed：not checked
- EnglishEnglish support：not checked
Tap a mark for details.
Not yet checked: 5
Lost-child support, Kids' toilet seat & step stool, Official family-friendly certification, High chair, Best-fit ages (guide)
Green = we confirmed it. Gray = not checked yet. Gray with a line through = the place does not have it.
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Where to go next
With a baby (0–1)
- The National Art Center, TokyoStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.6 kmA national art museum in Roppongi, Tokyo, that owns no collection and hosts changing exhibitions.
- Toranomon HillsStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.2 kmToranomon Hills is a Tokyo district of four linked towers with shops, offices, hotels and homes.
- Roppongi HillsStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.8 kmRoppongi Hills is a complex in Tokyo's Roppongi district with over 200 shops and restaurants.
- Azabudai HillsStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.5 kmAzabudai Hills, opened in 2023, is a Tokyo complex of offices, homes and about 150 shops.
- TOKYO TOWERStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.9 kmTokyo Tower is a 333-meter landmark in central Tokyo, with its main deck at 150 meters.
- Tokyo StationStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.4 kmTokyo Station, in central Tokyo, runs more trains than any other station in Japan.
With a toddler (2–3)
- YaesuStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.8 kmYaesu is Tokyo Station's Yaesu-gate side, where Yaechika's underground mall connects to Midtown Yaesu.
- Kabukiza TheatreElevatorFamily restroom2.6 kmKabuki-za, in Tokyo's Ginza, calls itself the world's only theater dedicated to kabuki drama.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National GardenGardenStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.8 kmA former imperial garden of 58 hectares, holding three garden styles in one plan.
- Tokyo Toy MuseumToy museumNursing spaceDiaper changing tableElevator2.6 kmA toy museum inside an elementary school built nearly ninety years ago.
- Kani Doraku Ginza HatchomeCrab restaurantDiaper changing tableElevatorFamily restroom2.2 kmA crab restaurant by Shimbashi Station, with kaiseki courses that run to nine dishes.
For sights
- The National Art Center, TokyoStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.6 kmA national art museum in Roppongi, Tokyo, that owns no collection and hosts changing exhibitions.
- Roppongi HillsStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.8 kmRoppongi Hills is a complex in Tokyo's Roppongi district with over 200 shops and restaurants.
- TOKYO TOWERStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table1.9 kmTokyo Tower is a 333-meter landmark in central Tokyo, with its main deck at 150 meters.
- Kabukiza TheatreElevatorFamily restroom2.6 kmKabuki-za, in Tokyo's Ginza, calls itself the world's only theater dedicated to kabuki drama.
- Shinjuku Gyoen National GardenGardenStroller friendlyNursing spaceDiaper changing table2.8 kmA former imperial garden of 58 hectares, holding three garden styles in one plan.
Where it is
The address is 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014.source
Before you go
- The hill is the catch: the stone steps are steep, and a parent visiting in January 2017 found that the escalators beside them would not take a stroller. The escalators also stop for inspection, with some or all closed all day on three dates in May 2026, so check the shrine's news page before you go.
- With a stroller, that parent used the slope to the left of the Sanno torii gate on the front approach, which climbs without steps and led to the front of Hie Akasaka, the shrine's wedding hall. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu next door links to Tameike-sanno Station (Exit 6), and its third-floor driveway exit opens in front of that gate; a slightly uphill car road, Onna-zaka, also reaches the main hall without steps from the hotel's third-floor main entrance (2020 report).
- Listings disagree on an elevator: the Tokyo metropolitan accessibility listing (Daredemo Tokyo, 2024) says there is none, and a December 2018 article agrees (the ways up are the escalators, the steps and the car road slope, while Hie Akasaka has its own elevator inside the building), but a January 2026 visitor with a 1-year-old and a stroller used one on the parking-lot side and never had to lift the stroller.
- Reports on nursing space differ too: a September 2022 visitor found no nursing room and a single changing table, though that family nursed in the family restroom after a diaper change, while a May 2026 post describes a nursing room with a changing table at the back of the first floor of Hie Akasaka, with a sink and a hot-water machine as well.
- The Senbon Torii path is narrow and crowded even on weekdays, the shrine says, and it has steps, so plan to carry a baby or hold a toddler's hand there. An August 2024 review mentions spider webs and insects on the path.
- The shrine's site lists the grounds as open 6:00 to 17:00, and a visitor who arrived at 5:30 p.m. in August 2023 found the gate had already closed at 5. Amulets are handed out 8:00 to 16:00 (hours change over New Year) and blessings are received 9:00 to 16:00 and take around 20 minutes, and 73% of reviewers on Jalan stayed under an hour, so it suits a short stop. Shichi-go-san season mornings were very crowded, while one family found blessings after 1 p.m. nearly wait-free; on crowded days a blessing can be 2 to 3 sessions away, and three sessions away means about an hour's wait. The shrine says its parking lot is very crowded in November and recommends trains or other transport, and a December 2018 article says the lot fills up on weekends in Shichi-go-san season.
- A blessing needs no reservation (costume rental, dressing and photos do, and so does a blessing held in the main hall) and you cannot pick a time, but you can pre-register, show the QR code on the day and pay in cash (from 10,000 yen). Amulets have a separate pre-registration site (not a booking) where you pick items and show a QR code. Shichi-go-san has a paid, weekday-only Nagomi plan (blessing, costume, dressing with hair styling, studio photos) for weekdays from September 16 to December 15, 2026; the price depends on the month of the celebration (49,800 yen in September, 59,800 in October, 69,800 in November, 59,800 in December) and the base fee is cash only. Photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall, and outdoors it should not block anyone's way or worship.
Sources and evidence (51)
- In September 2022 a visitor found no nursing room and only one diaper changing table; a May 2026 post describes a nursing room, so reports differ.source
- A May 2026 post describes a nursing room at the back of the first floor of Hie Akasaka, with a diaper changing table in it.source
- The Tokyo metropolitan accessibility listing (Daredemo Tokyo, February 2024) shows a count of 2 for diaper changing tables, with no floor or location given.source
- In September 2022 a visitor changed a diaper and was then allowed to nurse in the family restroom.source
- In January 2017 the escalators would not take one parent's stroller, so the parent used a step-free slope instead.source
- There is a stroller rack, noted during a baby's first shrine visit in September 2017.source
- The car road Onna-zaka, from the hotel's third-floor main entrance, is slightly uphill but step-free to the main hall (2020 report).source
- The grounds are outdoors, with more roofed areas than one visitor expected; on a rainy day photos came out much as on a sunny day.source
- A diaper bin sits in the women's changing room of Hie Akasaka (the shrine's wedding hall), reported in March 2017.source
- The Tokyo metropolitan accessibility listing (February 2024) gives the number of elevators as none, and notes escalators on the approach in both directions.source
- A December 2018 article says there is no elevator up to the hilltop grounds; the ways up are the escalators, the steps and the car road slope (Onna-zaka), and Hie Akasaka has a separate elevator inside the building.source
- A January 2026 visitor reached the grounds from the parking-lot side by elevator without climbing the long steps.source
- A November 2025 review says there is an elevator, so no steps had to be climbed, while a public listing says there is none, so reports differ.source
- The Sanno Saryo cafe in the grounds has a kids' plate (fried chicken, spaghetti napolitan, fries and more), presented as a meal for a Shichi-go-san celebration, by reservation three days ahead.source
- Tokyo Cheapo lists admission as free.source
- The shrine's own site lists the grounds as open from 6:00 to 17:00.source
- GO TOKYO, Tokyo's official tourism site, lists the hours as 6:00 to 17:00.source
- A visitor who arrived at 5:30 p.m. in August 2023 found the gate had closed at 5.source
- In a Jalan review tally, 73% of visitors stayed under an hour and 22% stayed one to two hours.source
- A blessing (including a baby's first visit and Shichi-go-san) needs no reservation; costume rental, dressing and photography do, and a blessing in the main hall needs a reservation.source
- A baby's first shrine visit needed no reservation, and one family was guided in order of arrival.source
- To the left of the Sanno torii gate (on the front approach) is an uphill approach with no steps, described as suited to strollers.source
- Leaving the hotel by its third-floor driveway puts you in front of the Sanno torii gate (January 2017 report).source
- The address is 2-10-5 Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014.source
- The amulet office is open 8:00 to 16:00 (hours change at New Year).source
- Blessings are received daily from 9:00 to 16:00.source
- A blessing takes around 20 minutes.source
- Blessing fees start at 10,000 yen, cash only.source
- The shrine says its parking lot is very crowded throughout November and recommends trains or other transport.source
- The escalators stop for inspection; in May 2026 some or all were closed all day on three dates (the 12th, 14th and 27th).source
- Notices of escalator inspections and stops appeared in the shrine's news list repeatedly between 2023 and 2026.source
- The shrine says the Senbon Torii path is narrow and crowded even on weekdays and asks visitors not to linger for photos.source
- The Senbon Torii path has steps, and the shrine asks visitors not to sit on them or lean on the gates.source
- Costume rental, dressing and photography at Hie Akasaka (for a baby's first visit and Shichi-go-san) must be reserved in advance.source
- For Shichi-go-san there is a weekday-only "Nagomi plan" (blessing, costume, dressing with hair styling, studio photos).source
- The Nagomi plan applies only on weekdays from September 16 to December 15, 2026.source
- The Nagomi plan price depends on the month of the celebration: 49,800 yen in September, 59,800 in October, 69,800 in November and 59,800 in December.source
- The Nagomi plan's base fee is cash only.source
- Photography inside the prayer hall is not allowed; outdoors, it should not block anyone's way or worship.source
- Amulets are received at the grounds' office, and there is a pre-registration site (not a booking) where you pick items and show the QR code.source
- The Capitol Hotel Tokyu next door connects directly to Tameike-sanno Station, Exit 6.source
- A December 2018 article says the parking lot fills up on weekends in Shichi-go-san season.source
- Pushing a stroller up that slope reached the front of Hie Akasaka, and the grounds could be entered without steps (January 2017).source
- You cannot book a time, but pre-registering means you show a QR code on the day and pay the fee.source
- In Shichi-go-san season, mornings were very crowded (a 2023 report).source
- In Shichi-go-san season, blessings after 1 p.m. were quiet, and one family got into the next session almost without waiting (2023).source
- On crowded days a blessing can be 2 to 3 sessions away, and three sessions away means about an hour's wait.source
- An August 2024 review says the path lined with torii has spider webs and insects.source
- The stone steps are steep and dangerous, one visitor wrote in January 2017.source
- The nursing room has a sink and a hot-water machine (a May 2026 post).source
- In January 2026 a visitor with a 1-year-old and a stroller never had to lift the stroller, thanks to the elevator on the parking-lot side.source
Basics
- Fee: Tokyo Cheapo lists admission as free.source
- Hours: GO TOKYO, Tokyo's official tourism site, lists the hours as 6:00 to 17:00.source
- Booking: A baby's first shrine visit needed no reservation, and one family was guided in order of arrival.source
Once you've decided
evidence & sources (8)
- ameblo.jp: Family restroom, Indoor / outdoor
- mamamap.jp: Nursing space, Diaper disposal bin
- hiayha.hatenablog.com: Stroller friendly
- note.com: Elevator
- sannosaryo.net: Kids' menu
- Public agency: Diaper changing table
- Official: main site
| Nursing space | Yes | A May 2026 post describes a nursing room at the back of the first floor of Hie Akasaka (the shrine's wedding hall); a September 2022 visitor found none, so reports differ. | Web-checked | checked May ’26 | mamamap.jp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diaper changing table | Yes | The Tokyo metropolitan accessibility listing (Daredemo Tokyo, February 2024) shows a count of 2 for diaper changing tables, with no floor or location given. | Web-checked | checked Feb ’24 | daredemo-tokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp |
| Family restroom | Yes | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | ameblo.jp | |
| Stroller friendly | Yes | Web-checked | checked Sep ’17 | hiayha.hatenablog.com | |
| Lost-child supportExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| Indoor / outdoor | Outdoor | The grounds are outdoors, with more roofed areas than one visitor expected; on a rainy day photos came out much as on a sunny day. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | ameblo.jp |
| Diaper disposal bin | Yes | A diaper bin sits in the women's changing room of Hie Akasaka (the shrine's wedding hall), reported in March 2017. | Web-checked | checked Mar ’17 | mamamap.jp |
| Kids' toilet seat & step stool | Not checked yet | ||||
| Elevator | Yes | A January 2026 visitor used an elevator on the parking-lot side to reach the grounds without stairs; the Tokyo metropolitan accessibility listing (Daredemo Tokyo, February 2024) says there is none, so reports differ. | Web-checked | checked Jan ’26 | note.com |
| English support | Not checked yet | ||||
| Outside food allowed | Not checked yet | ||||
| Official family-friendly certificationExtra info — guide only | Not checked yet | ||||
| High chair | Not checked yet | ||||
| Kids' menu | Yes | The Sanno Saryo cafe in the grounds has a kids' plate (fried chicken, spaghetti napolitan, fries and more), presented as a meal for a Shichi-go-san celebration, by reservation three days ahead. | Web-checked | checked Oct ’26 | sannosaryo.net |
| Best-fit ages (guide)Extra info — guide only | Not checked yet |
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