Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is Tokyo's most important Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Surrounded by a 175-acre evergreen forest, it offers a spiritual retreat from the bustling city.
What to Expect
The shrine complex features traditional wooden architecture and is accessed through towering torii gates. The surrounding forest, planted when the shrine was built, now houses over 120,000 trees from across Japan. Visitors can observe traditional ceremonies and write wishes on wooden ema plaques.
Getting There
- Nearest Station: Harajuku Station (JR), Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro)
- Walking Time: 5 minutes from station
- Best Time to Visit: Early morning for peaceful atmosphere, weekends for traditional ceremonies