Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu)

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It stands in a 70-hectare forest between Harajuku and Yoyogi Park, a few minutes from Harajuku Station. Entry to the shrine grounds is free.

The shrine was completed on November 1, 1920, eight years after the emperor's death, to honor the couple who led Japan into the modern era. Their tombs are in Kyoto, not here. Air raids in 1945 destroyed most of the buildings, but the forest survived, and the shrine was rebuilt with public donations in 1958.

On a two-week Japan journey, a Tokyo day starts with Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park before Shibuya Crossing.

Meiji Shrine fees and time needed

• Shrine grounds: free

• Inner Garden (Gyoen): 500 yen maintenance contribution

• Meiji Jingu Museum: 1,000 yen for adults, 900 yen for high school students and younger

• Time needed: about 1 hour for the shrine itself, or about 2 hours with the Inner Garden and the museum

There is nowhere to store suitcases on the grounds, so leave luggage in a station locker first.

What to see at Meiji Shrine

The forest and approach

The forest looks natural but was planted by hand. About 100,000 trees were donated from all over Japan, and around 110,000 volunteers planted them under the forestry scholar Honda Seiroku. Today it has 234 kinds of trees. Because the forest is sacred, nothing is cut or added and fallen trees are left to return to the soil. The gravel approach from the Harajuku entrance takes at least 10 minutes on foot to reach the main buildings, passing under large wooden torii gates.

Along the south approach you will pass a wall of decorated sake barrels offered to the shrine.

Main shrine buildings

Rinse your hands and mouth at the purification font before you enter the inner courtyard. Inside, the two "divine trees" stand for a happy marriage. Visitors write thanks and wishes on wooden ema plaques. Do not take photos in front of the main sanctuary where people are praying.

Traditional Shinto weddings are held here, so you may see a wedding procession cross the courtyard. A guided Shinto culture walk explains the rituals you see here and the role of Emperor Meiji.

Inner Garden (Meiji Jingu Gyoen)

The garden was imperial property before the shrine was built, and Emperor Meiji had it laid out partly for the Empress. It has a south pond, a teahouse and a spring called Kiyomasa's Well. The iris beds bloom in mid-June, the garden's busiest time. Azaleas flower in spring, and the maples turn in late fall.

Meiji Jingu Museum

Opened in 2019, the museum was designed by Kuma Kengo, the architect of Tokyo's National Stadium. Its two floors display articles used by or linked to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

How to get to Meiji Shrine

• JR Yamanote Line: Harajuku Station, about 2 minutes on foot to the south entrance

• Tokyo Metro Chiyoda or Fukutoshin Line: Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku) Station, about 1 minute on foot

From either station it takes at least another 10 minutes to walk from the entrance to the main buildings. Bicycles are not allowed inside, and wheelchairs are available at the entrance.

Best time to visit Meiji Shrine

Go early in the morning on a weekday for the quietest walk through the forest. A short daily ritual is held at 8 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Visit the Inner Garden in mid-June for the irises.

Avoid the first days of January unless you want to see hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, when the approach is packed with worshippers. Big rites include the Spring Grand Festival on May 2 and 3 and the Fall Grand Festival on November 2 and 3, around Emperor Meiji's birthday.

Harajuku's Takeshita Street and Omotesando are on the other side of the station, and our Yoyogi and Harajuku day plan combines all three.

The shrine's visitor questions page covers photography, food and luggage rules.