📍 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
Meiji Jingu or Meiji Shrine is one of the few landmarks I visited in Tokyo.
Meiji Shrine is located in the middle of a forest so there was a bit of walking to do before reaching the shrine itself. The entrance was really close from the Shibuya subway station and you would have to cross a white marble bridge that shows a divide between entrance/park and the streets of Shibuya.
I would also recommend wearing sneakers or runners because the ground is very uneven and very rocky/sandy on the path to Meiji Jingu!
Being greeted by the huge torii gates at the entrance of Meiji Jingu, I would say that the path to Meiji Jingu itself would be 10-15 minute walk (straight walking, without stopping to take photos, etc.)
You’ll pass by these wall of sake barrels on the way to the shrine.
These sake barrels are offered every year to the enshrined deities by the members of the Meiji Jingu Nationwide Sake Barrel Association, including the Kotokai, which has made offerings of sake for generations as well as other sake brewers around Japan, wishing to show their deep respect for the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. All these sake barrels were donated by sake brewers, in hopes for the continuous prosperity of the sake brewing industry and all the other industries maintaining Japan’s traditional culture.
The above excerpt was from the information plaque beside the sake barrels titled as “Barrels of Sake Wrapped in Straw” right beside this beautiful sight 🙂 .
On the way to the shrine~
Finally reached Meiji Jingu!
The entrance was slightly covered because they were doing construction, but after walking by that, here is the view of Meiji Jingu 🙂
Meiji Jingu was quite surreal…
Its clear white tiles, big green trees, the temple, and the wishing tablet area. It’s quite peaceful being in that area. It’s temple grounds are quite big and the temple itself, where you get to pray (is photography prohibited) is peaceful as well.
These Ema (wooden wishing tablets) come at a price at ¥400 or ¥500, which you can purchase from a Miko (shrine maiden in Japanese). There are different patterns of Ema(s) which were all beautiful.
There was also a cheaper option of prayer which was nearby the prayer wall. They offer papers, pens and envelopes for you to write your prayers/wishes. They ask for a donation, and you just drop it off at a drop box nearby. There was also a paper that teaches you how to get a successful prayer – such as, not wishing for greed like wishing for money or wishing for unrealistic stuff.
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I was also lucky to witness a Japanese wedding!! 😀
People were rushing up to take photos but there were security guards around to create the barrier for the ceremony.
Meiji Jingu is one of the more popular shrines in Tokyo, and it was definitely a sight to see. I was definitely happy to be able to witness a Japanese wedding as people have mentioned that you must be lucky to do so.
Till next time, ♥
For more Meiji Jingu – Meiji Jingu & Japan Guide
