Meiji Shinto Shrine

Meiji Jingu Shrine 明治神宮

Torii Gate, Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

• Close to 1964 Olympic complex.
• Breathtaking, peaceful swath of green in the concrete jungle.
• The place is on New Year's time in Tokyo.
• Great place to walk time or night.

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a large Shinto shrine in Tokyo, built-in 1920 to venerate the Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) under whoever reign Japan became a modern condition. In the middle of the huge Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu is within a green environment - very nearly with a rural feel, which makes it the absolute most visited spiritual website in Japan.

Meiji Jingu Shrine is is a brief walk from Yoyogi Station regarding the Yamanote Line. The surrounding Yoyogi Park includes the website for the 1964 Olympics. Kenzo Tange's Yoyogi National Stadium ended up being designed for those Games and it is still a Tokyo landmark.

Meiji Shrine in Tokyo is a well known location for traditional Japanese weddings

Meiji Shrine Main Hall

Meiji Jingu Shrine History

The Meiji Shrine had been finished in 1920 and contains become Japan's most well-known Shinto shrine. Meiji Jingu Shrine is focused on the souls of Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) along with his wife, Empress Shoken (1849-1914). The 15-year-old Emperor Meiji ascended the throne in 1867 as Japan saw the violent end of over 260 years of Tokugawa rule additionally the Meiji Restoration (Meiji Isshin) ushered in a time period of industrialization, urbanization and colonial development as Japan started initially to make an effort to catch up with the major Western capabilities.

After their particular deaths in the early the main 1900's, Meiji Jingu Shrine was built to venerate them. Meiji Jingu Shrine became a gathering point for Japanese right-wing radicals prior to World War II, for which it absolutely was damaged by American bombing in 1945 and rebuilt through general public donations in 1958.

Meiji Jingu Shrine Functions

Both torii gates at the entrance towards the shrine tend to be 40 foot large. Once you go through (under), you're symbolically entering a sacred destination and leaving the each and every day. The lengthy path to the shrine buildings is lined by big cedar woods.

Probably the most gorgeous areas in Meiji Jingu Shrine may be the Inner outdoors (Jingu Nai-en or Gyoen; entry 500 yen), which in belated June is filled up with over 150 species of irises in full bloom in the Minami-ike Shobuda (Iris Garden). It is stated the Emperor Meiji created the Nai-en outdoors himself when it comes to enjoyment of his partner. More in may be the treasure-house Annex (entry 500 yen), where royal few's clothes and private things tend to be held.

The Treasure House (Admission 500 yen) to the north of primary shrine structures displays portraits of earlier Japanese emperors plus the sophisticated courtroom kimono donned by the Meiji monarchs.

Other structures of note within the shrine complex are a Kaguraden for sacred kagura dances additionally the numerous shrine gates: Minami Shinmon, Gehaiden together with huge Otorii gate integrated 1975 from Japanese cypress from Mount Tandai in Taiwan. Next to the Treasure Museum is the Shiseikan Dojo (fighting styles Training Hall).

The park that encompasses Meiji Jingu Shrine is a forest of some 120, 000 woods of 365 various species. The woods were brought from all over Japan and from now on the woodland is a haven for all types of wild birds. Winter views a lot of Mandarin ducks gather at the North Pond as you're watching Treasure Museum. You quickly forget you are in the entire world's largest city.

Meiji Jingu Shrine Celebrations

Meiji Jingu's spring festival is May 2-3, and its particular autumn festival November 1-3. As many as a million people jam the shrine and playground on on November 3rd, the Emperor Meiji's birthday, and a national getaway, as well as on New Year's time.

Various other celebrations held at Meiji Shrine feature a sumo grand champ ring entering service in January, a National Foundation Day Festival on February 11 and a prayer service for agricultural virility in addition held in February.

Meiji Shrine can also be a tremendously preferred location for wealthy Japanese to commemorate a conventional Shinto-style marriage. Marriages are often held at Meiji Memorial Hall (Meiji Kinenkan) with a parade and blessing in the area beyond your Main Hall. Meiji Kinenkan, near JR Shinanomachi Station from the JR Chuo-Sobu Line, was where Meiji Constitution had been drafted and it is a beautiful building occur lovely reasons. A unique summer time beer yard consumes the lawn terrace in summer with food set courses starting from about 8, 000 yen.

Meiji Jingu Shrine Hours and Admission

Free entry to shrine grounds; 500 yen to understand irises, 500 yen to enter the treasure-house and Treasure Museum Annex (Bunkakan).
Hours: sunrise to sunset, with faster hours, usually 10am-4pm, the different services.

Principal Hall of Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

Torii Gate, Meiji Shrine Main Entry

Meiji Jingu Shrine Access

Meiji Shrine
1-1 Yoyogi Kamizonocho
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo
151-8557
Tel: 03 3320 5700

Japanese girl praying, Meiji Shrine Principal Hall

Near Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Shrine is right beside the big Yoyogi Park that delivers a number of Tokyo's most readily useful people-watching. The cutting edge of Japanese street fashion will be present nearby Harajuku featuring its elegant Omotesando Avenue, as well as in the boutiques of Aoyama - all a quick leave. Shibuya and Shinjuku tend to be a few stops on Yamanote Line.