Meiji-Jingu
The great shrine in the heart of Yoyogi
Meiji-jingu is a vast shrine adjacent to Yoyogi Park, in Harajuku neighborhood, in Shibuya ward in Tokyo. Popular among tourists, ideal place for a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony as well as for New Year celebrations, this Shinto complex, renovated in 2016, is very lively all year round.
There are numerous green lungs accessible in Tokyo, the huge concrete city, including Shinjuku Gyoen gardens and Yoyogi Park. Meiji-jingu is just adjacent to Yoyogi and a must-see during your visit of Tokyo. Its access is a large walk lined up with sake 🍶 barrels.
Meiji-jingu is actually an immense Shinto complex, with a walk through the imperial garden (Meiji Jingû Gyoen) leading to it, and passing under the first great torii ⛩️. Then the tour continues through a hundred thousand trees forest, up to the inner courtyard that hosts several traditional weddings every weekend.
Contrary to what an unaware visitor may imagine, the construction of Meiji-jingu only dates back from the early 20th century. It was built to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. On the day of its inauguration, on 1rst November 1920, about half a million of Japanese people visited the shrine. Nowaday, the shrine is especially popular during the New Year festivities, during which an average of 3 million Japanese come to pray.
Meiji-jingu is also the ideal spot for photographers adept of Shinto wedding ceremonies, and for every interested visitor