Meiji Jingu

One of my favorite places to visit whenever I'm visiting Tokyo. A great way to get away from it all, although the number of people and tourists seem to increase every time I come here. The Meiji Jingu is really huge, and more like a park than a temple, with a walk from any entrance requiring at least 10 minutes to get to the temple proper. But that is part of the mystique and beauty of it, with the very large and very old trees offering a covered and serene view, and the Japanese crows calling to each other in the distance or possibly right overhead.

Once at the temple, follow the posted instructions to keep quiet and respectful. Also, as taken from JAL's website: "When entering the grounds of a temple, it’s important not to step directly on the threshold of the main gate. Women should enter with their right foot first, while men enter with their left—a practice that only a few people remember." "If you wish to pray in the main hall of the temple, throw a few coins into the offering box. There is no suggested amount or specific lucky coin to consider. There is also no need to clap before you pray. Simply bow at a slight angle (some suggest 45 degrees as the ideal angle), put your hands together, and offer up your prayers. Bow once more when leaving the main hall and also as you exit the temple grounds."

A visit is highly recommended, just be respectful when you do.

Stunning shrine and park area. It's amazing to walk from the busy streets into this park which really feels like entering the woods. The walkway is extremely broad and impressive, the Tori you walk by/through are enormous. You will also walk by a display of sake and wine barrels.
There is also the opportunity to walk to a well for a small entrance fee. The scenery there is beautiful and really worth it.
The shrine is really amazing and features impressive camphor trees.

A gorgeous shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. My visit was particularly interesting, as it happened to be raining at the time, which I think further enhanced it's beauty. I approached the shrine through a forested path, leading into the main courtyard, which is quite open and features a stone tile floor.

The highlight of my visit was witnessing an entourage of the shrine's priests passing through the courtyard. While it's not permitted to take photos or videos of the priests, just being able to see them was a very exciting experience. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting if you're able to!

This Meiji Shrine is a must-see! It's a gorgeous place to visit throughout the year. However, please remember to be respectful when you visit. This shrine is a sacred place of worship that is open to the public. So, while you enjoy the sightseeing, please be mindful that others may be actively praying around you.

Set in the midst of Tokyo's forest lies this serene shrine. Despite the bustling crowds, the atmosphere remains tranquil with pleasant weather. The shrine and its surroundings exude a simple yet stunning beauty. Nestled within the garden, there's a delightful restaurant and café, offering a peaceful escape to savor the beauty around. This is a place not to be overlooked.

Love this shrine with its tranquil gardens and trails. We witnessed a Shinto wedding while we were there and it was an interesting experience. There is a cafe/restaurant inside and the food is pretty good! Definitely worth a visit to the inner gardens too.

It is a shrine in the forest in the middle of Tokyo. The atmosphere is shady and the weather is good. People rushing around But everything looked quiet and peaceful. The shrine and surrounding area are beautiful in a simple way. Within the garden, there is a restaurant and cafe. Allowing you to sit and enjoy the peaceful beauty within. It's a place you shouldn't miss.

Couldn’t capture its beauty as we came on a cloudy and rainy day. At 9am, the crowd still wasn’t there but are on the way in when we are leaving. Would come again when it’s sunnier but loved the tranquility. There is a whole park around the shrine for you to stroll and the trees are very tall.

Great afternoon walking through the park. 500 yen to see pond, well and gardens. Main road is free to go see temple. They have like a food court for a lunch or afternoon snack. Good way to spend a couple of hours.

The park is huge! It’s amazing that you could find such a big park in Tokyo. Visited on the weekday, there were some people but not too crowded. It would be super crowded on the first day of the month or January.
I would definitely recommend to save 2-3 hours just chilling in the park. Soaking in the traditional Japanese architecture and temple.
I would love to visit again :)

The most peaceful experience I had in Tokyo. The walk to the Shrine provides a calming ambience from the city just meters away. The day I went to the shrine it also was not very busy.

One of the most beautiful shrines in Tokyo! Beautiful surroundings with really big trees, clean, peaceful. Be prepared to walk a lot, the place is huge! Highly recommended!

Amazingly serene and spiritual Shinto Shrine. Was super lucky to have visited on Feb 11 when Kigensai was being celebrated.

There was a large parade consisting of marching bands and mikoshi (portable shrines) on this day.

The locals were very kind and tried their best to explain what was going on.

As British 🇬🇧 tourist new and unfamiliar with Japan I made the long walk from shinjuku to have a nice visit to the shibuya crossing for the day. When walking back to shinjuku I noticed a beautiful Forrest with a huge Shinto gate at the entrance so I decided to investigate and wow what a beautiful surprise this was. I had no idea it was here I suppose that’s one of the best parts of travelling. Everyone there walks in unison one way there are signposted directions in the forest to tell you where the temples are you can get a real good look at Shinto Japanese culture the locals would wash their hands and rinse their mouths with water then bow before walking under the Shinto arch’s. Beautiful architecture to observe and get lost in the moment for a truly spectacular day.

It is a very beautiful, expansive place to stroll, lots of dragonflies flying around the grasses as we walk by. We were lucky to see a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony in the main ceremonial hall or temple/shrine. The whole area has a solemn feeling to it. A must-see place whenever you happen to be in Tokyo.

My favourite place on the whole planet, never do I feel as at peace as I do here. Lovely shrine where you might be lucky enough to see a wedding. The grounds are peaceful and great to walk through.

Went on the new year day, crowd was massive but was expected. Place is nice for a morning stroll. Did not manage to get in to the main shrine due to the massive crowd that was there for the prayers. Would suggest to go on an off peak period.

My New Year visit to Tokyo's Meiji Jingu was a serene and enriching experience. The shrine's atmosphere, amidst the lush and expansive forest, offered a peaceful retreat. As a historical site, it held a profound sense of tradition and culture. The friendly English guide enhanced our understanding and appreciation of the shrine's significance. Nearby, excellent restaurants provided a delightful dining experience. Meiji Jingu is a must-visit for its spiritual ambiance and cultural richness.

Beautiful and peaceful, typical Japanese temple, surrounded by lots of trees. Not so crowded in late afternoon so you can make some rooms for yourself to find inner peace while traveling

If you're impressed by Japan's modernity and advanced infrastructure, then a visit to this shrine is a must to understand firsthand why it was constructed.

Built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, the shrine commemorates Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, symbolizing the fusion of Western influences with Japanese culture.

Conveniently accessible via train from Harajuku JR station, the shrine offers a serene escape amidst Tokyo's bustling cityscape.

During my recent visit to the Tokyo Metropolitan Building in Shinjuku last January 2024, I was amazed by its thoughtful design and integration within the city's modern environment. The juxtaposition of a grand, historic shrine amidst Tokyo's urban jungle is truly captivating.

It's my second time to visit this Shrine. I would strongly recommend this place on your itinerary.