All Reviews of Meiji Jingu Shrine

Tokyo's best-known place of worship and forest retreat from the heat, Meiji Jingu Shrine!

Right next to bustling Harajuku and Shibuya, the moment you enter the shrine grounds, you can feel the peace and solemnity of walking along the tree-lined approach. Before praying, you can purify your hands at the temizuya, then visit the amulet office to choose from various exquisite omamori and ema prayer plaques. Quiet and lush with greenery, it's a must-visit spiritual spot for experiencing traditional Japanese Shinto culture, praying for safety, and escaping the hustle and bustle of the city!

Walking through Meiji Jingu Shrine feels like entering a vast, quiet, deep forest hidden within the city. The towering trees lining both sides of the approach make you feel cut off from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo as soon as you enter. Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are enshrined here, and it is also one of Japan's most important shrines, attracting millions of worshippers every New Year.

The enormous torii gate at the entrance is said to have been made from cypress from Alishan, Taiwan. As you walk along the gravel path, hearing the crunch beneath your feet and looking up at the towering torii gate, you feel a solemn sense of entering sacred grounds one step at a time.

Meiji Jingu Shrine: Making a Wish in a Tokyo Forest

After arriving in Tokyo and passing through the bustling streets of Shibuya, you turn and suddenly find yourself in a tranquil, lush forest. This is the solemn and sacred Meiji Jingu Shrine. At the entrance stands a massive wooden myojin torii gate, said to have been built from a giant thousand-year-old cypress from Alishan, Taiwan. Looking up at it, you can truly feel a sense of awe and reverence.

As you follow the tree-lined path, sunlight filters through the leaves, and the noise of the city gradually fades away, leaving only the quiet rhythm of footsteps and rustling leaves. In front of the main shrine, the dark wooden buildings, gold accents, and elegant rooflines look especially dignified against the greenery.

The most interesting part is the votive tablet area. Countless ema are covered with wishes from people around the world. Some pray for success, some for safety, and others leave blessings for their families. We also sincerely wrote down our own wishes and hung them in the breeze. Perhaps the meaning of travel is to leave behind a beautiful hope for the next chapter—for ourselves and those we love—in an unfamiliar place.

Meiji Jingu Shrine is an especially peaceful place in central Tokyo. After entering, I slowly walked along the tree-lined approach and felt as though I had suddenly left the city's hustle and bustle behind. Tall trees surrounded me, the air was fresh, and the atmosphere was both solemn and relaxing. I visited the shrine to pray for safety and also admired the architecture and scenery rich in traditional Japanese character.

Walking into Meiji Jingu Shrine feels like stepping into a forest in the middle of Tokyo. The surroundings are მშვიდ and serene. The worship route is easy to follow, and the air feels fresh and pleasant.

Take your time walking around and enjoy the solemn yet soothing atmosphere of a Japanese shrine.

There’s a lot of shade in the summer, so it’s cooler than I expected. It’s a bit of a walk to the main shrine, and it really feels like a forest hike.

The moment you enter Meiji Jingu Shrine, it feels like you've stepped into a different world. It's so peaceful and soothing!

Meiji Shrine is always packed with people coming for the first shrine visit of the New Year. It's the most popular spot every year.

A peaceful spot right in the heart of the city. There are lots of tall trees, and it feels more solemn than the open vibe of Yoyogi Park. I recommend the grassy area on the way from Sangubashi toward Yoyogi Station—it's a great place to relax.

There are lots of old trees everywhere. If you walk in from the main path and turn into the inner garden, you'll find a beautiful garden and pond.