Discover Meiji Jingu: A Shrine Dedicated to the Spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken

At New Year, Meiji Jingu is crowded with visitors who come to offer their prayers for the coming year, but ordinarily the majestic forest looks over people’s prayers in quiet solemnity. Festivals and rites are held throughout the year at the shrine, and during the large festivals in spring and autumn the grounds are bustling with people visiting the various events.The shrine also holds weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies and purification rites. In the grounds you can also find the blue iris imperial gardens constructed by Emperor Meiji for the Empress, the Treasure Museum, the Meiji Jingu Museum where you can learn all about the shrine, and lawns and cafes where you can relax after paying your respects at the shrine.

In the Meiji Era, the idea of “Japanese Spirit and Western Knowledge' (Wakon Yosai) was adopted in Japan, with the aim of learning from the best of Western culture and civilization while maintaining Japan's age-old spirit and revered traditions. Emperor Meiji led the way in promoting modernization by embracing many features of western culture in his personal life, such as cutting his topknot and wearing western clothes, and in many other aspects of daily life. He also enjoyed western food and in particular liked to drink wine with it. The barrels of wine consecrated at Meiji Jingu are donated by the celebrated wineries of Burgundy, in France.

The Second Torii, which stands where the South Approach and North Approach meet, is the largest wooden torii gate in Japan. The posts were made from a giant tree more than 1500 years old, have a diameter of 1.2 meters, stand 12 meters tall, and weigh 13 tons.

The Meotogusu on the left side before you enter the Main Shrine is famous as a power spot. Two camphor trees, planted in 1920 when the shrine was being built, are connected with a sacred rope. This is a place of prayer for those looking for a companion, and for lovers and married couples wishing to strengthen their relationships.

Legend has it that Kiyomasa’s Well was dug by Lord Kiyomasa Kato himself. It is well known as a power spot within Meiji Jingu. The water maintains a temperature of close to 15 degrees year round, and is said to spring from the ground at a rate of 60 liters/second.

The Meiji Jingu Museum opened in October 2019 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the shrine. It was designed by renowned architect Kuma Kengo, as a new addition to the Meiji Jingu forest.

Emperor Meiji led a frugal lifestyle, sharing the suffering of Japanese citizens as he strove to create a new nation. In a brief half-century, Japan matured as a modern nation as it established a constitutional government, developed industry, fostered educational programs and pursued cultural advances. Photo: Promulgation of the Constitution:The birth of Asia's first modern constitution.

Familiar with academic studies from her childhood, Empress Shoken strove to advance education for girls. In 1875, she funded the establishment of the Women's Teaching College (present-day Ochanomizu University), and the Kazoku Girl’s School (present-day Gakushuin Girls' Junior & Senior High School) in 1885.

Meiji Kinenkan is the building in which the Constitution of the Empire of Japan was drafted. Later, it was donated to Meiji Jingu. Today, it contains a hall for Shinto weddings, and its expansive gardens and grounds make a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city.