Meiji Shrine, Tokyo
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine), in Tokyo near Harajuku Station, is the Shinto shrine dedicated to the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914. After the demise of the Emperor and Empress, this shrine was constructed to venerate them. Their souls were enshrined on November 1, 1920.
The shrine grounds consists of three areas: Naien, or the inner precinct, centered on the shrine buildings; Gaien, or the outer precinct, which includes the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery and sports facilities; and the Meiji Memorial Hall.
These areas are covered by an evergreen forest of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established.
This 700,000 square-meter forest is visited by many, and acts both as the spiritual home and a recreation and relaxation area for the people of Tokyo.
Many weddings are held at Meiji Shrine, and folk dance performances are frequently held. On New Year's Eve, more than two million people crowd onto the grounds of Meiji Shrine to usher in the New Year.
Quick Facts
| Address: | 1-1 Kamizono-cho |
| Location: | Meiji Shrine Inner Garden, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku |
| Phone: | 03/3379-5511 |
| Metro: | Harajuku Station (2 min.) |
| Hours: | Daily sunrise-sunset (until 4:30pm in winter) |
| Cost: | Free admission |
- Meiji Shrine - Japan-Guide.com
- Reviews of Meiji Shrine - TripAdvisor traveler reviews and photos
