Meiji-Jingu Shrine

Details

Address
1-1 Yoyogikamizono-cho
Phone
+81-3-3379-5511
Website
View website
Open Hours
1: Mon-Sun: - 06:40-16:20 2: Mon-Sun: - 06:20-16:50 3: Mon-Sun: - 05:40-17:20 4: Mon-Sun: - 05:10-17:50 5: Mon-Sun: - 05:00-18:10 6: Mon-Sun: - 05:00-18:30 7: Mon-Sun: - 05:00-18:20 8: Mon-Sun: - 05:00-18:00 9: Mon-Sun: - 05:20-17:20 10: Mon-Sun: - 05:40-16:40 11: Mon-Sun: - 06:10-16:10 12: Mon-Sun: - 06:40-16:00

About this sight

This is one of the most popular Shinto shrines for tourists and locals alike that is dedicated to the deified spirits of the Meiji Emperor and his consort, and is located near the trendy Harajuku area, just beside the JR Yamanote Line’s Harajuku station.

After the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken passed away in 1912 and 1914 respectively, the people of Japan donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and oversees to create the shrine grounds in commemoration of their contributions and virtues. The sprawling Meijijingu Shrine grounds was completed in 1920, covering an area larger than the Vatican City.

Every year over the first three days of the New Year over three million visitors come here to offer first prayers of the year. The long pebble pathed approach is surrounded by cedar trees, making for a serene and contemplative walk, perfect for new year resolution making and reflection. You will also see an impressive display of sake barrels here donated to the shrine by various sake brewers around Japan. People come here to pray for luck of all kinds, from wealth, health to good relationships and to get charms to ward off bad luck.