A traditional Japanese Shinto shrine entrance with a large wooden gate, green-tiled roof, and paper lanterns, set against a backdrop of trees and a partly cloudy sky.

A person with a red backpack holds a transparent umbrella while standing on a wet path beneath a large wooden torii gate, surrounded by dense green trees.

A row of wooden ladles rests on a traditional purification fountain at a Japanese shrine, with a person in the background performing a ritual cleansing. The scene is set outdoors with greenery visible.

People walk and gather in front of a large traditional Japanese shrine with a wide, sloped roof, flanked by two lush green trees, under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

A woman in a red floral dress stands beside a wall of stacked decorative sake barrels with Japanese writing, surrounded by greenery on a paved path.

A traditional Japanese Shinto shrine with wooden architecture, tall pillars, and a sloping roof. Large green trees surround the shrine, and stone steps lead up to the entrance on a bright, sunny day.

Tokyo

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū)

Name: Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū)
Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonochō, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan
Rating: 4.6

4.6 (46994)Tourist AttractionPlace Of WorshipPoint Of InterestEstablishment

Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya. Dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, it’s one of Japan’s most important religious sites. Built in 1920, it honors Emperor Meiji, who was the key player in the Meiji Restoration, the period when Japan became a modern state.

You start your journey at the big torii gate, a 1500 year old cypress wood structure. This gate marks the entrance to a forested area, a peaceful oasis in the middle of the busy city. The path, lined with over 100,000 trees from all over Japan, leads to the main shrine buildings, feeling peaceful and sacred.

The honden is the main hall and is a simple yet beautiful traditional Japanese building. It’s where people come to pray, write wishes on ema (wooden plaques), and participate in traditional ceremonies. Meiji Shrine is also famous for its seasonal events, such as the Yabusame archery in autumn and the New Year’s celebrations, which attracts millions of visitors seeking blessings for the year.

Next to the shrine is the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, a peaceful oasis famous for its iris garden, which is especially beautiful in June during the rainy season. Meiji Shrine is a peaceful place to celebrate Japan’s imperial history and culture.

Phone

+81 3-3379-5511

Website

www.meijijingu.or.jp

The area

Address

1-1 Yoyogikamizonochō, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

What other travelers are saying about Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingū)

Before even arriving at Meiji Jingu, there are a few things every visitor should know that make the experience smoother and more enjoyable. The shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so visiting earlier in the day provides the quietest atmosphere. Entry to the main grounds is completely free, though the Inner Garden and Museum require tickets. Since this is an active Shinto shrine, modest and respectful clothing is appreciated, and visitors are asked to speak softly around the main hall. Photography is allowed throughout most of the grounds, but not inside the hall itself. Eating and drinking aren’t permitted inside the shrine area, and for those unfamiliar with Shinto customs, the prayer ritual is simple: bow twice, clap twice, make a wish, and bow once again. The shrine is also extremely easy to reach, located right next to Harajuku and Meiji-jingumae stations. Once inside, the experience feels worlds away from Tokyo’s busy streets. The walk begins under an enormous wooden torii gate, leading into a vast forest made up of thousands of trees donated from across Japan. The gravel paths, shaded by tall cedars and cypresses, immediately create a peaceful, almost meditative atmosphere. The shrine itself, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken and originally completed in 1920, is beautifully maintained. Visitors often witness traditional wedding processions, adding a living cultural element to this serene and historically significant place.

Filippos Mitros

Nov 21, 2025

Peaceful, Beautiful, and Truly Special Meiji Jingu is one of the most peaceful and spiritual places in Tokyo. The moment you walk through the huge torii gates and into the forested path, it feels like you’ve entered a completely different world away from the city noise. We were lucky enough to see two traditional weddings during our visit, which made the experience even more special. The atmosphere, the rituals, and the setting were truly beautiful to witness. A must-visit if you want calm, culture, and a glimpse of Japan’s traditions.

pihu gupta

Dec 2, 2025

This place is in the heart of Tokyo as well, the Meiji Jingu. I was surprised because the place is vast. When entering, you can really feel that you are inside of a sacred place. You can only here the sounds of the bird while walking even though there's a lot of people coming and going. The forest gives a peaceful vibes and I really liked it. The walk is long but when you reach the main temple, it is really crowded but still happy to see it. I was also interested at the couple tree and we were so blessed to see a wedding pictorial there. We also went to the Well. It has an additional maintenance fee but unfortunately we didn't see much because it is a seasonal based spot. Overall we enjoyed the walk.

mhi_chanphjp

Oct 30, 2025

Meiji Shrine is one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto sanctuaries, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Completed in 1920 and set within an expansive evergreen forest, the shrine was conceived as a symbolic space where modern Japan could honor the imperial couple whose era transformed the country. Nearly 100,000 trees were donated from all parts of Japan to create this man-made woodland, designed to mature into a natural, self-sustaining forest — a living memorial to renewal and national unity. The inner precinct, reached through imposing wooden torii, leads to a wide courtyard and the main hall, built in the restrained nagare-zukuri style using cypress and copper. Although the original complex was destroyed during the 1945 air raids, it was meticulously rebuilt by public donation and reopened in 1958, restoring its calm, dignified atmosphere. The shrine remains deeply connected to imperial rituals, seasonal festivals and rites of passage, attracting both worshippers and visitors seeking a moment of quiet in the heart of the city. Walking the long gravel paths in the early morning — as we did at 6:10 — reveals the shrine in the way it was originally intended: as a quiet sanctuary where nature, ritual and the pace of everyday life meet without competing. Before the daytime crowds arrive, the forest absorbs nearly all sounds, and the architecture appears in its purest form, framed by cypress, gravel and soft light. It is one of the rare places in central Tokyo where the city feels distant, replaced by a deliberate calm shaped over a century ago.

Anna Krzak

Nov 23, 2025

Once inside, the busy city fades away. You enter through a massive wooden torii gate and follow wide gravel paths through a forest of thousands of donated trees. The shade from the tall cedars and cypresses creates a peaceful, calming atmosphere. The shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken and completed in 1920, is beautifully maintained. If you’re lucky, you may even see a traditional wedding procession, which adds a special cultural touch to the visit.