Japan Travel Tokyo - Meiji Jingu 明治神宮

Japan Travel Tokyo - Meiji Jingu 明治神宮(2016 0416)

Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo-to

Geographic coordinates 35°40′34″N 139°41′57″E

Getting There:

JR Yamanote Line alight at Harajuku Station for 1 min walk or Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines. The shrine is a 10-minute walk away.

Meiji Shrine (Free)

Meiji Jingu Museum (Admission Charge Apply)

Hours: 10:00 to 16:30 Closed Thursdays (or following day if Thursday is a national holiday), between exhibitions

Meiji Jingu Museum (Admission Charge Apply)

Hours: 10:00 to 16:30 Closed Thursdays (or following day if Thursday is a national holiday), between exhibitions

Inner Garden (Admission Charge Apply)

Hours: 9:00 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from November to February) Extended hours during the middle of June.

 

The shrine was completed and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji, who was the first emperor of modern Japan and the Empress Shoken in 1920, eight years after the passing of the emperor and six years after the passing of the empress. The shrine was destroyed during the Second World War but was rebuilt shortly thereafter.

 

A torii gate along the forested approach to Meiji Shrine - the barrier that divides the secular and holy worlds

Sake & Wine Barrels

More than 200 traditional sake barrels that were collected and donated to the shrine by famous sake breweries across the country as a sacred offering to the Emperor Meiji. Wine barrels imported from France are also displayed, hinting to the emperor’s love for wine and his achievement to have spread the Western culture across Japan during the Meiji period.    

Main Shrine

A traditional wedding ceremony and see a bride and a groom dressed in a Japanese wedding kimono, walking in front of the shrine.

100-year-old Couple Camphor Trees

The symbolic two trees are tied together with a sacred rope called shimenawa (しめ縄), which is made of rice straws, represent Emperor Meiji and his wife, who were known as lovebirds throughout their life. Many people visit there, hoping that it will bring good luck for a romantic relationship and a happy and safe home.