Located in Shibuya, Tokyo, the Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.
Surrounded by a lush green forest right in the heart of Tokyo , this Shinto shrine, built in 1920 is dedicated to Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and Empress Shoken, who led Japan to become a modernized nation.
Emperor Meiji led the nation in building relationships with some of the world's great powers.
The famous Shinto shrine exudes an atmosphere of serenity and is quite austere unlike many other Asian places of worship.
Passing under the torii gate marking the beginning of the shrine grounds, you'll find it hard to believe you're in the middle of one of the world's busiest cities. This tranquil, manmade forest of about 100,000 trees covers a gamut of different species donated from all over Japan.
Visitors can admire the two gates made of 1,500-year-old cypress, dip their hands at the cleansing station before offering up a prayer, write wishes on little pieces of paper and tie them to the prayer wall, or follow the local tradition of bowing twice, then clapping twice, and bowing once more before tossing some yen into the offering box.
Getting There: Meiji-jingu is located next to Harajuku Station and Meiji-jingumae station.
For JR, take the Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station. On the Metro, catch the Chiyoda or Fukutoshin lines to Meiji-jingumae. The shrine is a 10-minute walk from either location.
Admission Fee: is Free. Entrance fee to the Iris Garden.
Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Importance Rating: 10 - this is one of Tokyo’s top sights.
Busyness Rating: 7 - it gets very busy but doesn't feel crowded in the same way other sites may.
Top Tips: You should prioritize Meiji Jingu as one of your first Tokyo stops, as any trip to bustling Shibuya or Harajuku pairs well with a quiet walk down the well-trodden paths to the shrine's main sanctuary.
On a Sunday morning, visitors have a good chance of seeing a traditional Shinto wedding procession move through the courtyard of the shrine.
Given its central location and rich history, Meiji Jingu holds many rituals and festivals throughout the year.
Beginning on New Year's Day, when nearly three million visitors swarm the area in the hope of a year's worth of good fortune, right up until the end-of-the-year ritual Joya-sai on December 31st, there's almost always something happening at the shrine.
If you're in Tokyo during late April and early May, be sure to come for the Spring Grand Festival, during which you can witness incredible performances of ceremonial music and dances. If there's not a ritual or festival on, there's a good chance a traditional Shinto wedding is happening at Meiji Jingu, so keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot the procession.
Meiji Jingu Kikkaten is an annual festival in October and November. Meaning Chrysanthemum Exhibition, the Kikkaten is an annual celebration of the seasonal flower held at Meiji Shrine.
