Nestled in the heart of bustling Shibuya, Meiji Jingu (明治神宮) stands as a serene oasis of tranquility, offering visitors a profound connection to Japan’s spiritual heritage amidst the modern metropolis. This Shinto shrine, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, represents one of Tokyo’s most important cultural landmarks and provides a breathtaking experience where nature, tradition, and history converge.

A Forest Born from Devotion

What makes Meiji Jingu truly extraordinary is its forest—a man-made woodland created through the donations of over 100,000 trees from across Japan and planted by volunteers. This 70-hectare sanctuary, now a mature ecosystem with trees over a century old, demonstrates Japan’s deep reverence for nature and its ability to create sacred spaces within urban environments. The forest’s careful design creates a natural pathway that guides visitors toward spiritual reflection even before reaching the main shrine buildings.

Caede’s Spiritual Insight:
“As you pass through the first torii gate, something remarkable happens—the sounds of Tokyo fade away, replaced by birdsong and rustling leaves. This intentional transition prepares your mind and spirit for the sacred experience ahead. I always recommend walking slowly through this approach, allowing yourself to fully absorb the shift from urban energy to serene contemplation. For another beautiful spiritual experience in Tokyo, consider visiting Sensoji Temple in Asakusa for a different but equally meaningful encounter with Japanese tradition.”

The Heart of the Shrine

The main shrine complex, constructed in traditional Nagarezukuri style using Japanese cypress, exemplifies the elegant simplicity of Shinto architecture. Visitors follow the purified path to offer prayers at the main hall, where they can experience authentic Shinto rituals and ceremonies. The shrine’s design—without excessive ornamentation—creates a powerful atmosphere of purity and reverence that resonates with both Japanese worshippers and international visitors

Key Areas to Explore:

• Main Shrine Buildings: The central worship halls where ceremonies are conducted
• Inner Garden: Features the beautiful Iris Garden that blooms spectacularly in June
• Treasure Museum: Houses personal artifacts of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken
• Shinto Ritual Observance: Daily ceremonies that visitors may respectfully observe

Caede’s Ritual Guidance:
“Participating in basic Shinto customs can deepen your experience. At the temizuya (purification fountain), use the ladle to cleanse your left hand, then right hand, then mouth, and finally the ladle handle. When approaching the main hall, bow twice, clap twice, offer your prayer, then bow once more. These simple acts connect you to centuries of tradition. If you’re interested in learning more about Japanese spiritual practices, our guides at Japan City Tour can provide deeper insights during our cultural tours.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Caede’s Seasonal Recommendation:
“While any time is wonderful to visit, I particularly love early Sunday mornings in autumn. You might witness a traditional wedding procession—a breathtaking sight with the vibrant fall colors as backdrop. The sound of the groom’s traditional footsteps on the gravel path creates a rhythm that seems to connect present with past. After your shrine visit, the nearby Harajuku district offers a fascinating contrast between traditional and contemporary Japanese culture.”

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If you are thinking about making a trip to Japan, as seasoned Japan experts we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including destinations like the Meiji Shrine. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Practical Visitor Information

📍 Access:

• Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line) – 1 minute walk to main entrance
• Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro) – 3 minute walk to main entrance
• Sangubashi Station (Odakyu Line) – 10 minute walk to north entrance

⏰ Hours:

• Shrine Grounds: Sunrise to sunset (varies by season)
• Inner Garden: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM (March-October), 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (November-February)
• Treasure Museum: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM (closed Mondays and following days if Monday is holiday)

💴 Admission:

• Treasure Museum: 500 yen (or combined ticket with Inner Garden available)
• Shrine Grounds: Free
• Inner Garden: 500 yen (includes Meiji Jingu Museum)

Essential Etiquette and Tips

• Walk on the sides of the main path (center is reserved for deities)
• Maintain a respectful quietness throughout the grounds
• Photography restrictions are clearly marked—please observe them
• Large bags and luggage should be stored at station lockers before visiting
• The gravel paths may be challenging for strollers and wheelchairs in some areas

Beyond the Main Shrine

Meiji Jingu Museum
Opened in 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary, this modern facility designed by architect Kengo Kuma houses precious artifacts and offers deeper historical context through interactive displays.

Naien (Inner Garden)
Originally created by Emperor Meiji for Empress Shoken, this paid-access garden features the spectacular Iris Garden, tranquil ponds, and the Kiyomasa’s Well—a spiritually significant spot.

Sake and Wine Barrels
Displayed at the shrine entrance, these offerings from Japanese sake brewers and French wine makers symbolize the cultural exchange championed during Emperor Meiji’s reign.

Caede’s Hidden Discovery:
“Most visitors follow the main path, but I recommend exploring the lesser-known north area near the Sangubashi entrance. Here you’ll find quieter forest paths and the Original Imperial Carriage House. It’s also worth noting that Meiji Jingu is actually part of a larger green corridor connecting to Yoyogi Park—you can easily spend a full morning exploring this entire green oasis in central Tokyo.”

Cultural Significance and Modern Relevance

Meiji Jingu serves not only as a religious site but also as a living cultural institution that preserves and transmits Japanese traditions. From the daily rituals performed by priests to the seasonal festivals that mark the agricultural calendar, the shrine maintains practices that have defined Japanese spirituality for centuries while remaining accessible and meaningful to contemporary visitors from around the world.

The shrine’s commitment to environmental stewardship is equally significant—the forest functions as a vital green lung for Tokyo while demonstrating how human intervention, when guided by reverence, can create sustainable ecosystems that benefit both nature and urban communities.

Caede’s Final Reflection:
“Meiji Jingu offers something increasingly rare in our modern world—a space where time seems to move differently, where the boundary between past and present softens, and where people from all backgrounds can experience moments of genuine peace and reflection. Whether you come for spiritual reasons, cultural interest, or simply to escape the city’s pace, this sacred forest has a remarkable ability to touch each visitor uniquely. It stands as a beautiful testament to Japan’s ability to honor tradition while embracing the future—a theme that continues throughout Japanese culture, from its ancient temples to its technological innovations.”

Legend of Maneki-neko

This temple has become the temple of the Maneki-neko because of the following legend. Naotaka Ii was the second feudal lord of the Hikone Domain. One day, on his way back home he saw the cat that was kept by the monk at the entrance of the temple. The cat was raising one of its paws and the cat looked like it was inviting him. So, he decided to visit the temple.

Because the cat told him this, he could avoid the approaching thunderstorm and he heard a wonderful preach of the monk. He was very grateful and thus made it Ii’s family temple in 1633. When the cat died, the monk made him a grave and he put up a statue of Maneki-neko Kannon.

Famous Cats From the Gotokuji

Because of this legend, the temple started to sell cat figurines to the worshipers and they started to donate them to the temple once their wishes come true. The smallest size cat (2cm) costs 300 yen and the biggest size cat (25cm) costs 3,500 yen

As the cat has become very famous, now you can buy this kind of cat at many souvenir shops all around Japan. It is said that if the cat raises its left paw, it is inviting people while it raises its right paw, it is inviting money. Some of them raise both paws up. Many restaurants put these cats in front of their store in order to draw a lot of customers.

By the way, in the precinct of the temple, there is a large cemetery. There are graves of important figures in history. Naosuke Ii was the 15^th feudal lord of the Ii Family and became a chief minister of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He signed the document to reopen the country after 200 years of seclusion policy, but he was assassinated after that.

Gotokuji Temple in Autumn

If you visit the temple in autumn, you may see the beautiful autumn leaves of the maple trees. You can take beautiful pictures of the three-storied pagoda with vivid red and yellow leaves.

Access Information

Access: From Miyanosaka (Tokyu Setagaya Line) or Gotokuji (Odakyu Line) station.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like the Gotokuji temple. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Gotokuji Area Map

Temple History

During the Edo period, this temple served as a family temple for the Tokugawa family, the shoguns of that time. One of the Tokugawa mausoleums is here, and 6 former shoguns’ graves are on the grounds of the Zojoji temple. The original temple was destroyed many times, the last time being WW2. One structure, however, dates back to 1622 and survived many disasters: the main entrance gate or Sangedatsumon. If you want to know more about the history of this temple and see what it looked like before WW2, head over to the small museum in the basement of the temple’s main hall.

You should also not miss Zojoji’s impressive garden with a large number of jizo statues. These statues are here to commemorate children lost during pregnancy or around birth. Many of the bibs and hats that are worn by the statues are made and left by grieving parents.

Over the year many festivals are held on the temple grounds, and daily Buddhist ceremonies are taking place in the main hall. If you are lucky and come at the right time, you can hear the taiko drums that are played during the ceremonies. Also, don’t miss this temple around cherry blossom time, the area is full of cherry trees in full bloom around late March-early April.

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As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Zojoji temple. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Zojoji temple Area Map

For colorful blooming azalea in the spring time, the Nezu shrine in Tokyo is one of the best places to go. But this is not the only reason for putting this sanctuary on your to-see list. The shrine’s buildings are also the oldest shrine constructions in Tokyo. Let’s learn more about this beautiful historical shrine!

Nezu Shrine History

Kyoto is famous for its temples and shrines that are many years old and are preserved almost intact. Tokyo on the other hand, suffered a major bombardment by US forces in 1945, leaving very few long-standing buildings in the city. But not everything was lost.

In the Nezu area, Tokyo, as its name says, is the Nezu Jinja (or Nezu shrine). It is the oldest Shinto shrine in Tokyo, established in 1705. This shrine is dedicated to the god of winds and seas, and having survived the war it is considered a heritage of high cultural importance. Since all its buildings date from the year in which it was established, there are no older shrine constructions in Tokyo.

His Majesty Emperor Meiji, constantly sent petitions to this sanctuary to pray to the gods for his health. The place is designed in the same style as that of the famous Toshogu in Nikko with its imposing buildings. So it is not necessary to travel outside of Tokyo to observe them.

Layout of the Shrine

Upon entering the sanctuary you can see how the entire enclosure is covered by perfectly organized nature, giving the feeling that the complex is a large Japanese garden. Before arriving at the Haiden (front sanctuary) there is a huge door called Romon. This type of door is used both in Shinto shrines and in Buddhist temples.

It has an upper floor that cannot be accessed. A ‘karamon’ (Chinese-style gate) is a type of gate often found in Japanese castles, Buddhist temples, and Shinto shrines. Connected to it there is a ‘sukibei’ (lattice wall), a 200-meter wall that surrounds the main hall.

A similar combination of Karamon and Sukibei can be seen in the Ueno Toshogu. This is another Shinto shrine from the Edo period in Tokyo that is closely associated with the Tokugawa shogunate. Both structures were built in 1706, and both are designated as Important Cultural Properties.

The haiden in the background, the romon door, and the bridge that leads to these shrines form a perfect postcard. Therefore they are some of the biggest attractions of the sanctuary. On the left side, there is a large and beautiful garden with multiple types of flowers. And after a short hike, you can reach a sanctuary in honor of the god Inari, with more than 100 torii in a row to arrive. This little lane feels very similar to the famous Fushimi Inari in Kyoto.

Azalea Flowers at Nezu Shrine

The Nezu Shrine is very famous for its Azalea (Tsutsuji Matsuri) flower festival lasting from April to early May. The whole area is filled with multicolored flowers that give off a delicious aroma. Azalea is a shrub with small leaves, with the edges folded down. They come with white, pink, or red flowers, and are gathered in groups of 2 to 5. This event has been described as the most spectacular view of spring in the city of Tokyo.

The sanctuary enclosure is quite spacious, lots of nature, and very pleasant to walk. The sanctuary has its own lake that passes all around and there live some beautiful koi fish. The koi fish is a sacred animal in Shinto shrines as it is said that the gods reincarnated that way to be closer to humans. The Nezu Shrine is truly beautiful and has endured in time despite all the changes that the city of Tokyo has experienced.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tokyo and the Nezu shrine. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Benzaiten

In this beautiful park, there is a lake called Shinobazunoike. The lake changes its landscape according to the season of the year. In winter it is completely full of snow and semi-frozen. Come spring, it looks clean, clear and the image of the Benzaiten temple is reflected in the lake. In summer and autumn, the lake is filled with lotus flowers, giving a green and natural view. In the center of Shinobazunoike, there is a temple dedicated to the goddess of prosperity, Benzaiten. Benzaiten is a goddess revered in both Buddhism and Shintoism, so you can find both temples and shrines dedicated to her throughout the country.

Bentendo

The temple is called Shinobazunoike Bentendo and was founded in the 17th century. The complex consists of a hexagonal-shaped main structure with very elegant colors. Inside the temple, there is a small chapel where certain days a week people will listen to the monk’s words. In the background, you can see a powerful statue of the goddess Benzaiten. On the front, there is a ‘Gon’ that can be touched by a string so that the goddess listens carefully to the visitor’s requests.

Temple Elements

In this part of the temple, there are also various omamori for protection and wooden tablets where visitors write the wishes they want to be fulfilled and hang them outside the sanctuary on a special wall. At the entrance to this temple, at the beginning of the stairs, there is a small statue of a dragon. This would come to represent the goddess’s husband according to legend. In the front to the right side, there is a shamisen (Japanese instrument) referring to the instrument that the goddess plays to pacify souls.

In the same enclosure, there is another temple on the right side, a little more modest for those who have slightly longer requests. Here you can also offer a stick of incense to purify the soul. There are several statues of the goddess and Buddha around the temple. This enclosure also has a small viewpoint from where you can see the lake and quietly enjoy a drink and observe the landscape. At night the temple is closed, but it is still worth a visit as it is illuminated by traditional Japanese lamps that are hung all over the front of the temple, giving it an unparalleled night view.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like Tokyo. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Shinobazunoike & Bentendo Area Map

Finding True Love

This shrine is known for its ability to attract love, in any form. It is very popular among young Japanese since it is believed that by coming to pray at this shrine you can attract or maintain your partner. This sanctuary has the peculiarity of having carved hearts on its doors. This, according to legend, will make your true love enter your life faster if you take a photo and make it your cellphone’s wallpaper.

In this shrine, it is very common to see traditional-style weddings since many couples want the shrine of love to protect their marriage. A nice detail is that the shrine is located on a residential street, so you can notice the contrast between traditional and modern Japan.

History of the Daijingu Shrine

In the Edo period (1604-1868), all Japanese people had the goal of going to the Great Shrine of Ise, where the essence of goddess Amaterasu is enshrined, once in their life to Ise to pray. Because Ise was a long way from Edo (Tokyo), the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine functions as a branch of the Ise Shrine.

Omikuji (fortune predictions) directed exclusively for luck in love can be bought in the shrine enclosures. If you take one, you can see how your love destiny will unfold. And if you want to keep the essence of the sanctuary with you or want to protect your relationship, you can buy and take with you an omamori (protective amulet).

Although the sanctuary is not very large, it is aesthetically pleasing, and when you enter you feel an atmosphere of harmony. Here you can pray not only for the love of a romantic relationship but also for the love towards your family or friends. If you want to connect a little with the energy of the magnificent goddess Amaterasu and want to attract love to your life, then you should pay a visit to the Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

The shrine is open every day from 6 am to 8 pm.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including destinations like the Daijingu shrine. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Tokyo Daijingu Area Map

Honoring the War Dead

The enclosure keeps the record of 2,466,000 souls who gave their lives for the peace of Japan from the Meiji era until the end of WW2 in 1945. Here, people thank all those souls who struggled to create the basis of peace that Japan now enjoys. It is considered one of the most important sanctuaries in all of Japan for its extensive history and its objective that Japan does not enter a warlike conflict ever again.

Upon entering the shrine we can see the highest torii gate in Japan.  The sanctuary honors millions of souls and therefore the door lives up to that fact. After entering a little more there is a statue of Omura Masajiro, who was the founder of the Imperial Japanese Army. This was the first western-type statue that was made in Japan. A little further on is a monument of a mother offering water.

This monument represents those moments in which the soldiers were in battle and fainted due to lack of water, and at the time the thirst made them see mirages they saw their mother and asked for water to live. Today, the monument prays that neither the water nor the mother’s love is missing from any person in the world. Alas, where one party’s war dead are their heroes, they will be villains for another party. This is what caused the controversy surrounding the shrine since 1945. Several members of the Imperial Family have refused to partake in the shrine’s ceremonies for this reason.

Yasukuni Shrine Areas

Here’s a list of the different places of interest on the shrine’s rather large grounds:

*Yasukuni Shrine office

*Noh theater, where martial arts demonstrations, traditional dances, concerts, and special events are held in honor of the souls that reside in Yasukuni.

*A sacred pond, where the spiritual energy of the sanctuary is concentrated and peace can be felt, and large koi fish swim

*The Sumo camp, where Sumo fights are held from time to time that are free to the public.

*A small forest of peace that surrounds the entire sanctuary

*Yushukan museum. This museum tells the history of Japan from 1868 to 1945.

*Haiden, where people go to pray

*Honden, where a sacred object called ‘Goshintai’ can be found which connects the earth with the spiritual world.

Summer Festival

During the hottest days of the year, the spectacular Obon festival in Japan is celebrated in central Tokyo. The Yasukuni Shrine is decorated with more than 30,000 traditional Japanese lanterns. They span from the great torii to the main gate to the sanctuary. Obon is the holiday in which for three days the spirits of the family, friends, and ancestors return to the earth to visit their loved ones and celebrate with them. In Japan, it is celebrated on different dates depending on the region, and in Kanto, where Tokyo is located, it is celebrated in mid-July.

Yasukuni Shrine has been performing the famous Mitama Matsuri (Festival of Souls) since 1947. Approximately 300,000 people from both Japan and foreigners visit this festival. Mitama Matsuri takes place from July 12 to July 16. During those days, Yasukuni Shrine offers a wide range of activities, aimed at all ages. Normally in the morning, the community of neighbors of the Kudanshita area performs traditional dances to welcome the spirits.

In the internal precincts of the sanctuary, paintings and drawings made by various artists and children are displayed to represent the importance of art within the spiritual world. The main door has the traditional decoration of the Tanabata festival. Lanterns are not only hanging on the outskirts, there are also small lanterns that make a beautiful path that permeates the entire spiritual enclosure with light and serenity.

Bon Odori Dance

Then in the afternoon, the lanterns glow and the Omikoshi (portable Shrine) is carried by the men of the community throughout the wide street of the shrine enclosure. Then there are also musical activities or martial arts presentations at the Noh Theater of the Sanctuary. At nightfall, Mitama Matsuri enters its peak of beauty, giving the visitor the opportunity to meet in peace and happiness with their loved ones who are in the other world.

In the place where the statue of Omura Masujiro is located, all visitors gather, usually dressed in yukata (casual summer kimono) for the Bon Dori, the Obon dance. Bon Dori is performed to receive the spirit of the deceased and feel their presence again in the underworld. The dance tends to be simple but very fun and cheerful.

Shrine Opening Hours:
Every day from 6 am to 6 pm
January, February, November, and December from 6 am to 5 pm

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours including historically significant destinations. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Yasukuni Shrine Area Map

Buddhist temple Sensoji is the oldest temple in the city of Tokyo. Located in Asakusa, it the most visited spiritual place in the world with more than 30 million visitors a year. This is no wonder, as the streets surrounding the temple as well as the temple itself breathe a distinct traditional atmosphere. Let’s learn more about this important historical place!

History of Sensoji

The history of this temple dates back to 628 when the Hinokuma brothers found a statue of goddess Kannon in the Sumida river. She is the goddess of mercy in the Buddhist pantheon. The brothers took the statue to the village chief’s house and explained what had happened.

Hajino Nakamoto, then governor of what we know today as Asakusa, realized that this statue was sacred. He believed that it had been sent by the gods to protect the village. Therefore, the governor remodeled his own house and in the center of the village, the Kannon temple was founded. This was the basis of today’s Sensoji that became the first temple in Tokyo.

In the Edo period, this temple was growing and became the meeting point for the citizens of Asakusa. The Tokugawa clan who was in charge of the country at that time gave it protection. At the end of the Edo Period, many stores were formed near the temple to support the economic growth of the city. But when the Meiji period arrived, the entire market area, now called Nakamise Dori, was remodeled in western style. Unfortunately, in the great Tokyo earthquake, the shops were severely affected. The entire site was rebuilt again and completed in 1925.

Impact of WW2

Very sadly, the area was brutally bombed at the end of the war in March 1945. Afterward, all the villagers set out to rebuild the temple again, and this is the version of the temple we see today. The temple was one of the first in all of Japan to be rebuilt after the war, becoming a symbol of hope for the people of Tokyo, the symbol of reconstruction after the stormy war.

In 2012, the Tokyo Skytree was completed near the Sensoji temple which is the tallest tower in the world. Today, when you arrive at Sensoji you can see this magnificent contrast of the oldest temple of Tokyo with the most modern tower in the world in the background. Currently, the temple is visited by a large number of international tourists and Japanese tourists alike. So in the new Nakamise Dori you can find typical objects of Japanese culture, such as t-shirts or flags of the country.

The Sensoji grounds can also be visited at night, combining a magical and spiritual environment. It also makes for a great photo opportunity and a chance to enjoy this popular place without the crowds. Please note that most of the shops around the area are closed after 5-6 pm.