Yasukuni Shrine was established in the second year of the Meiji era (1869) by the will of the Emperor Meiji to commemorate and honor those who lost their lives in the past wars since mid-19th century. The name “Yasukuni” means to maintain peace for the people. More than 2,460,000 souls lost are considered to be divinities and are worshipped at Yasukuni Shrine.
Across the shrine, a passage lined with cherry trees runs along Chidorigafuchi Moat. It is 700-meter-long promenade located northwest to the Imperial Palace. Every spring in the season of “cherry blossom viewing”, this passage is extremely popular for their beautiful cherry trees and tens of thousands of people come to appreciate them during “the Sakura Festival” held by Chiyoda city. You can enjoy viewing sakura from a boat on the Chidorigafuchi Moat. Illuminated cherry trees at night are also a big attraction to many tourists and locals.