[Complete Meiji Jingu Shrine Travel Guide] Highlights, History, and Practical Info

Meiji Jingu began with a strong public wish to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Emperor Meiji helped shape modern Japan, and after his death in 1912, people called for a shrine to enshrine his spirit and pay respect for generations.
After Empress Shoken passed away in 1914, plans moved forward in earnest to build a shrine for both.
With donations and support from across Japan, Yoyogi, a place closely associated with them, was chosen, and Meiji Jingu was founded in 1920.
Since then, it has been cherished as a place to pray for world peace and the prosperity of the nation.

In spring, Meiji Jingu feels calm and beautiful, wrapped in new leaves and flowers.
Fresh buds appear along the South and North Approaches, and around 10 varieties of cherry blossoms bloom across the grounds.
There aren’t enough trees to call it a major cherry-blossom spot, but the blossoms you do find are striking.

For summer at Meiji Jingu, one of the signature highlights is the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, where approx. 150 varieties and 1,500 iris plants bloom.
If you visit around peak season in mid-June, don’t miss the flowers at their best.
Summer is also a great time for rituals and festivals, with more chances to experience traditional Japanese culture.

Autumn at Meiji Jingu is all about atmospheric scenery in vivid fall colors.
In the vast forest, ginkgo and Japanese maple trees turn bright, welcoming visitors with seasonal beauty.
In particular, the view of the pond and foliage in the Inner Garden is stunning.
On November 3, the Meiji Festival is also held to honor Emperor Meiji, offering a rare chance to see traditional ceremonies.

From January 1 to January 3, the shrine is decorated for the season and becomes lively with hatsumode visitors.
If you’re in Tokyo over the holidays, it’s a great chance to experience Japan’s New Year atmosphere. Hatsumode at Meiji Jingu can be a memorable part of your trip.
Snow rarely accumulates in Tokyo, but if you’re lucky enough to catch snowfall, you may see Meiji Jingu in a beautifully mystical winter scene.

The Otorii (Second Torii Gate) of Meiji Jingu stands where the South and North Approaches meet, a massive wooden gate with an unforgettable presence.
Made from Taiwanese cypress said to be over 1,500 years old, it measures 12 m tall with a 17 m top beam, making it the largest wooden Myojin-style torii in Japan.
Its dignified, graceful form clearly marks the entrance to the sacred grounds and gently settles the mind as you approach.
The center is considered seichu (the path of the gods), so walk along the side of the approach and pass beside the center of the torii.

Designated an Important Cultural Property, Meiji Jingu’s main shrine is built in the traditional sangensha-nagare-zukuri style, a common layout for main shrine halls.
The cypress-bark roof and zelkova wood surfaces blend beautifully, while the refined carvings and bold curves give the architecture a distinctly shrine-like elegance.
The worship area is spacious, letting you pray at a relaxed pace in a quiet, serene setting.

Hoken sakadaru are special sake barrels offered to a shrine as a donation, expressing gratitude and prayers to the deities.
Based on the longstanding Japanese custom of offering sake at the altar, rows of stacked barrels line the South Approach.
They are donated by brewers from across Japan.
Across the way, you’ll also see wine barrels presented from France, reflecting Emperor Meiji’s role in embracing Western culture and his well-known fondness for wine.
It’s a unique scene that blends Japanese and Western traditions.

Standing solidly before the worship hall, Meoto Kusu (the Married Camphor Trees) is a sacred tree known as a symbol of matchmaking and a happy marriage.
Donated in 1920 when Meiji Jingu was founded, the name comes from the two camphor trees growing side by side in harmony.
Nurtured under the protection of the enshrined deities, they have grown together for over 100 years and now reach approx. 17 m tall.
Beyond their stately presence, the way their branches spread as if leaning toward each other creates a warm impression, and many visitors stop here to pray.
It’s also famous as a spiritual spot for love and family well-being.
As it is a sacred tree, please do not touch it.

The Meiji Jingu Inner Garden is a strolling-style Japanese garden on the south side of the main shrine grounds.
Originally owned by a powerful samurai family in the Edo period, it was later renovated in 1903 at Emperor Meiji’s request so Empress Shoken, who was in poor health, could take walks for exercise.
Unlike many manicured gardens, it features very few pruned trees, letting you stroll through vibrant, natural scenery at an easy pace.
Covering approx. 83,000㎡, it’s remarkably green for central Tokyo and offers seasonal views year-round.
Highlights include the Iris Field (Shobuda), the elegant Kakun-tei pavilion, and Minamiike Pond, where reflections of greenery create a calming scene.
Admission requires a 500-yen maintenance donation. Note that garden hours differ from the shrine gate hours.

Kiyomasa’s Well (Kiyomasa no Ido) is a famous spring within the Inner Garden, said to have been dug by the Edo-period warlord Kato Kiyomasa.
The circular well is about 1.2 m across and edged with mossy stones. With an average flow of 60 liters per minute, the clear spring water never dries up, even in winter.
Long believed to have a purifying power, it once became a trending “power spot,” with people saying even setting it as a smartphone wallpaper could boost your luck.
It’s especially associated with improved finances, and many visitors come to Meiji Jingu specifically for this spot.

Located in the northern part of the grounds, the Treasure Museum (Homotsuden) is an Important Cultural Property that conveys the history and tradition of Meiji Jingu.
It was built in 1921 to store and display items connected to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
The azekura-style raised-floor design, co-designed by renowned architect Ito Chuta, is a landmark of early reinforced-concrete architecture in Japan.
It once displayed items such as stationery, books, and furnishings, but these are now preserved and exhibited at the Meiji Jingu Museum mentioned above.
Even today, the building’s dignified presence remains, offering a close feel of imperial culture and history.
*Open for a limited time with paid admission. Check details on the official website.

The Turtle Stone (Kameishi) is a natural stone quietly resting by the shore of the North Pond, in front of the Treasure Museum.
As the name suggests, its distinctive shape looks like a turtle peeking out over the water’s surface.
Its rugged, time-carved texture and gentle curves create an impression reminiscent of a turtle’s shell.
Turtles are also symbols of longevity and prosperity, so this spot is loved as a lucky power spot said to bring various blessings, such as career luck and better finances.
Anyone can touch the Turtle Stone, so consider stopping by before or after your visit to “receive” a little energy.

Sazareishi, near the Treasure Museum, is a popular power spot and is designated a Natural Monument.
Sazareishi refers to small stones that, over many years, become bound together by limestone and form a larger rock, believed to be auspicious and purifying.
Meiji Jingu’s sazareishi has a rough, natural surface and has not been shaped by human hands.
The “sazareishi” mentioned in Japan’s national anthem, “Kimigayo,” is said to be this very stone at Meiji Jingu.

Quietly set along Meiji Jingu’s tree-lined approach, the Meiji Jingu Museum opened in 2019 as part of the shrine’s 100th anniversary projects.
It preserves and exhibits items connected to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, the enshrined deities of Meiji Jingu.
Designed by Kengo Kuma, it features a gently sloping roof that blends beautifully with the shrine’s lush forest setting.

CAFÉ “Mori no Terrace” is just a short walk from the west exit of Harajuku Station, with a gentle look featuring wood materials and a welcoming deck.
Inside, you’ll find a relaxing space filled with the warmth and scent of natural wood.
Counters and furniture made from dead trees from Meiji Jingu’s grounds are also a highlight, showcasing each wood’s unique character.
Large glass windows let in natural light and offer views where seasonal nature and torii gates create a beautiful scene.
The menu includes a range of drinks and light bites, but the recommended pick is the “Meiji no Yamacha Latte,” made with Yamabancha grown using ancient farming methods. It’s creamy with a subtle sweetness.

“NOODLE & RICE BOWL” is an open, casual food corner where you can take a break during your walk or shrine visit.
The bright, calm interior features wood accents throughout, with about 50 seats available.
Whether you’re alone or with friends and family, it’s easy to drop in like a cafe.
The menu offers a wide lineup, including noodles and rice bowls such as sansai soba/udon and a seafood kakiage rice bowl, plus takeout-friendly snacks.
Recommended choices include the “Ebi Tempura Soba” made with carefully selected buckwheat flour and topped with two shrimp tempura, and the hearty “Beef Curry Rice” simmered with plenty of beef and onions.

Gift Shop “Mori” sells many items connected to Meiji Jingu, with a focus on traditional crafts and Japanese-style goods that capture classic Japanese taste.
Another plus is the wide lineup, including original designs you can only buy here.
Stop by and you’ll likely find the perfect souvenir for your visit, or a great gift.

The forest across Meiji Jingu’s grounds, full of seasonal nature, is also called the “Eternal Forest.”
The area was once barren, but as plans progressed to build a sacred forest to protect the shrine and honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, experts created a detailed long-term design to cultivate a natural woodland in the heart of Tokyo, looking 100 years ahead.
They selected primarily evergreen broadleaf trees such as oak, camphor, and zelkova.
About 100,000 trees were donated from across Japan, and more than 110,000 young volunteers took part. The forest was completed in 1920, the same year the shrine was founded.
Left to natural succession, the forest has grown for about a century into a surprisingly rich ecosystem, creating a clean, calming space that makes you forget you’re in the city.

Meiji Jingu uses a rare crest design featuring both chrysanthemum and paulownia motifs.
The chrysanthemum became closely associated with the imperial family after Emperor Go-Toba favored it in the early Kamakura period (1185–1333), and it eventually became a symbol passed down through generations.
The meaning differs by the number of petals: the 16-petal chrysanthemum is the official imperial crest, and many similar crests can be seen on Meiji Jingu buildings.
This was possible because there were no restrictions at the time of construction. Today, out of respect for the imperial family, the shrine uses a 12-petal chrysanthemum alongside the 5-3 paulownia as its official emblem.
The paulownia, meanwhile, has served as a state-like symbol and has been adopted as a crest of the Japanese government from the Meiji era to today.
The chrysanthemum represents a more “private” aspect, while the paulownia carries a more “public” meaning, making this dual design especially fitting for a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who embody both.

If you look closely at the buildings at Meiji Jingu, you’ll notice heart shapes on door fittings and on decorative roof elements (kegyo).
These are actually called inome, a traditional Japanese motif inspired by a wild boar’s eye, and they’re considered auspicious designs for protection against evil and fire.
They were commonly used on shrines and temples and also symbolize guarding sacred spaces.
Because they look like hearts, they’ve quietly become popular as a symbol of happiness and a “love luck” power spot.
Don’t just walk past, pay attention to the architectural details and you’ll enjoy the visit even more.

On the approach from the Otorii toward the main shrine, you’ll come to a box-shaped bend called a masugata, which looks like a right-angled turn.
It appears to be 90 degrees, but it’s intentionally set at 88 degrees.
The number 88 is considered lucky in Japan, linked to the auspicious “spreading” shape of the number 8, and it’s popular as a subtle power spot said to bring good fortune.
It also softens the rigid feel of a straight line and creates a gentler flow for visitors, helping maintain a sense of reverence as you enter the sacred space.
It’s fun to walk the path while thinking about the meaning behind the angle.

A Shinto wedding ceremony (shinzen kekkonshiki) is a traditional Japanese wedding held at a shrine or sacred hall.
It’s a solemn ritual where the couple makes vows before the deities, and it’s known for the sight of the bride and groom in traditional attire walking through the grounds with shrine maidens and priests.
Meiji Jingu also hosts Shinto weddings, and for many Japanese people, having a ceremony at such a prestigious shrine is a special experience.
If you’re lucky during your visit, you may see a bride in a white shiromuku kimono and a groom in haori and hakama walking along the approach.
It’s a rare moment to feel Japanese tradition up close, so if you see it, please watch quietly and respectfully.

Meiji Jingu Gaien (Outer Garden) was established in 1926. Centered around the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, it offers sports facilities such as Meiji Jingu Baseball Stadium, along with seasonal nature.
Its approx. 300 m ginkgo-lined avenue from Aoyama-dori to the gallery is especially famous. In autumn it becomes a tunnel of gold, and in spring, about 400 cherry trees bloom, with the blossoms around the gallery particularly impressive.

Yoyogi Park spans 544,711.27㎡ and offers a rich landscape of water and greenery that’s hard to believe is in central Tokyo.
The park is divided by a road into a north-side wooded area and a south-side open area with facilities such as an outdoor stage and sports grounds.
In spring, about 800 cherry trees reach peak bloom, and the area around the fountain pond on the south side of the Central Plaza is a popular spot for hanami.

A shopping street about 350 m long running from Harajuku Station toward Meiji-dori.
It’s packed with stores selling distinctive fashion items you won’t easily find elsewhere, and it’s watched worldwide as a trendsetting hub.
Every day it’s crowded, especially with young people, and from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., when it’s busiest, the street becomes pedestrian-only.

Near Tokyo Metro “Shinjuku-gyoenmae” Station, with the garden of Shinjuku Gyoen right in front, this ramen shop stands out for its refined interior and calm atmosphere.
Using no chemical seasonings, it serves ramen that draws out natural flavors, made with over 60 ingredients.

Enjoy creative cuisine under the glow of aquarium tanks.
Large tanks throughout the restaurant create an atmosphere like dining underwater.
A relaxing spot serving fusion dishes that blend Indonesian cuisine with European touches.

Stylish yet open thanks to large glass windows, this cafe features an original wave-motif wall design in a modern Japanese style.
The menu focuses on HACHIYA’s original sencha and hojicha teas, plus carefully whisked drinks made one cup at a time, including sencha latte, hojicha latte, and matcha latte.

A Harajuku icon opened in 1978. As more young people drawn to fashion, art, and music gathered here, Laforet helped establish the area as a center for the latest fashion trends.
From B1.5F to 5F, it’s lined with standout shops selling fashion, goods, and accessories fit for a trendsetting district.

A commercial facility in the heart of the Omotesando,Harajuku area, featuring popular brands from Japan and abroad.
From B1F to 5F are shopping floors lined with distinctive stores selling fashion, goods, and accessories.
It’s also well-known for its strong selection of cosmetics shops.

Q Plaza Harajuku is a landmark in the Omotesando,Harajuku area, with a colorful exterior that’s easy to spot from a distance. It’s a mixed-use building from B1F to 11F.
Along with many restaurants and cafes, it also includes select shops, services, and wedding-related venues.