Shibuya-ku, Tokyo. Meiji Jingu Shrine, located a short walk from Harajuku Station, is a famous shrine that attracts many worshippers even on weekdays.
It is so popular that there is no one who does not know about it in Japan. Recently, it is also gaining popularity among foreign tourists who want to experience Japanese culture.
In this article, I, a Tokyo resident, will tell you what Meiji Jingu is famous for and whether there is an admission fee to visit the shrine!
Meiji Jingu Shrine Is Famous for Being the Top Shrine for Hatsumode Worshippers
In Japan, there is a custom called Hatsumode to visit shrines at the beginning of each year.
Meiji Jingu Shrine is ranked first in the number of Hatsumode worshippers every year.
In fiscal year 2024, as many as 3.19 million people visited the shrine, making it the most visited shrine in Japan.
Hatsumode is an event to visit shrines in the New Year to express gratitude for the old year and wish for happiness in the new year. Many people visit shrines only once a year, and Meiji Jingu Shrine is so popular that it is chosen for this rare occasion!
Meiji Jingu Shrine Is Famous as the Strongest Power Spot in Tokyo
Some may wonder why so many visitors come to Meiji Jingu Shrine.
The deities of Meiji Jingu are Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.
The shrine also has two large sacred trees, called husband and wife camphor trees, beside the main shrine, which are believed to be beneficial for good marriages, and for marriage and safety in the home.
Kiyomasa-no-ido is one of the most famous power spots in Japan. It is said to purify bad things and bring good luck.
In addition, Meiji Jingu is surrounded by a forest so rich in nature that you may forget you are in the heart of the city, making it a popular place to refresh yourself surrounded by nature just by visiting.
Visitors can also enjoy forest bathing in the vast 700,000-square-meter area, where about 100,000 trees donated by people from all over Japan were planted when Meiji Jingu was built.
Once you take a step into the area from the Harajuku Exit near JR Harajuku Station, you will feel a fresh contrast with the pop culture of the young people's town, and you will feel the atmosphere change at once.
First, you will be healed by the rich natural environment and power spots at Meiji Jingu Shrine, and then you can walk to Harajuku, one of Tokyo's popular culture spots, and Omotesando, lined with luxurious stores. One of the reasons for the popularity of Meiji Shrine is its convenient location, which makes it easy to make a sightseeing plan.
Admission to Meiji Jingu Shrine Is Free
Admission to Meiji Shrine is free.
However, admission to the Meiji Jingu Gyoen (Meiji Shrine Garden), which is located within Meiji Shrine, requires 500 yen.
The Meiji Jingu Gyoen is a garden rich in nature and a quiet place where you can spend your time, and there are also famous places of interest such as the Kiyomasa-no-ido, a famous power spot mentioned above.
Although an admission fee is required, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the four seasons in Japan, so be sure to stop by when you visit Meiji Jingu Shrine.
■ Meiji Jingu Gyoen
Address: 1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone:03-3379-5511
Opening hours: 9:00 - 16:00 (8:00 - 17:00 in June)
Fee: 500 yen
Popular Spots for Foreign Tourists at Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine, rich in nature and easily accessible by public transportation, is a popular spot for foreign tourists.
The following two spots in Meiji Jingu are especially popular among foreigners, so please check them out!
1. Consecrated Sake Barrels
On the south approach to the shrine, just outside the west exit of JR Harajuku Station, there is a row of empty sake barrels donated from all over Japan and wine barrels from the Burgundy region of France.
It is a very unusual sight to see wine barrels dedicated at a shrine, but this is due to the fact that Emperor Meiji, the god of the shrine, was a wine drinker who embraced Western culture.
The sight of quite a number of barrels displayed like a wall is quite impressive, and many people stop to take pictures to commemorate the occasion.
Please come and see for yourself.
2. The Largest “Otorii” Gate in Japan
There are eight torii at Meiji Jingu Shrine, and among them, the Daini-torii (second torii), which stands at the junction of the southern and northern approaches, is one of the largest wooden otorii in Japan.
It is 12 meters high, and when seen up close, it is quite impressive.
The torii gate is said to mark the boundary between the sacred and mundane worlds, so it is polite to take a deep breath and bow lightly when passing through the gate.
Passing through the torii itself signifies entry into the sacred place, and the visit to the shrine begins there.
Remembering that it is a sacred place, please visit the Otorii, one of the power spots of Meiji Jingu Shrine.
A “Healing Moment” at Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Jingu Shrine, located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, near JR Harajuku Station, is a popular shrine known as one of the most popular power spots in Japan.
Despite its location in a large city, the shrine is spread out over a large site with abundant nature, so visitors can experience an atmosphere of negative ions that they cannot experience at other tourist spots.
The scenery changes with the seasons, so be sure to visit when sightseeing in Tokyo!
■ Meiji Jingu Shrine
Address: 1-1 Yoyogi-Kamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone:03-3379-5511
Opening time: between 5:00 and 6:40 (*Varies according to the month; check theofficial website for details)
Closing time: between 16:00 and 18:30 (*Varies according to the month)
Admission: Free
https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/
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