- Hatsumode! First visit to Meiji jingu Shrine: How to avoid crowds
- Meiji jingu Shrine is the shrine with the largest number of New Year's visitors in Japan every year. We will introduce ways to avoid crowds and visit the shrine smoothly.
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine)
Meiji Jingu(Meiji Shrine) is a shrine located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. It boasts the largest number of visitors in Japan during the annual New Year’s visit. The deities enshrined are Emperor Meiji, the 122nd emperor, and Empress Shoken.
Meiji Shrine was built in Yoyogi after the death of Emperor Meiji, as the people had a passionate desire to enshrine the divine spirits and honor and adore them forever. Since then, Meiji Shrine has existed as a place to pray for the prosperity of the imperial family, the development of the country, and world peace.
| Month | Gate opening time | Gate closing time |
|---|---|---|
| January | 6:40 AM | 4:20 PM |
| February | 6:20 AM | 4:50 PM |
| March | 5:40 AM | 5:20 PM |
| April | 5:10 AM | 5:50 PM |
| May | 5:00 AM | 6:10 PM |
| June | 5:00 AM | 6:30 PM |
| July | 5:00 AM | 6:20 PM |
| August | 5:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| September | 5:20 AM | 5:20 PM |
| October | 5:40 AM | 4:40 PM |
| November | 6:10 AM | 4:10 PM |
| December | 6:40 AM | 4:00 PM |
- Access
- 10 seconds walk from JR Harajuku Station West Exit
- Location
- 1-1 Yoyogi Kamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-8557
Meiji Shrine - Official Website
In the middle of the metropolis of Tokyo. A mysterious space surrounded by vast nature
The grounds of Meiji Shrine are vast, approximately 700,000 square meters, and are surrounded by many trees.
The light shining through the trees creates a very mysterious atmosphere.
There are various facilities within the precincts, including the main shrine, Kagura hall, and plaza.
Kagura hall
Main shrine
The main hall of Meiji Shrine enshrines the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
The exterior of the main shrine is simple yet exudes a majestic atmosphere. There are three houndstooth gables in front and three Mizugaki fences on the left and right sides. Chidori gables are triangular gables attached to the front and left and right sides of shrine roofs. Mizugaki is a low fence built around the precincts and shrine buildings of shrines.
The interior of the main shrine is approximately 24 square meters in size. In the center is a shrine, above which the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are enshrined. Around the shrine, sacred offerings and sacred tools are placed.
The main shrine was built in 1920. It was destroyed in the Tokyo air raids in 1945, but was rebuilt in 1958. During the reconstruction, while following the original design, improvements were made to improve earthquake resistance and fire resistance.
Japan’s largest torii “Ootorii” (Second torii gate, Ni no torii)
Meiji Shrine has the largest torii gate “Ootorii” in Japan.
It is the largest wooden Myojin torii gate in Japan, with a height of 12m, a pillar spacing of 9.1m, a pillar diameter of 1.2m, and a capstone length of 17m.
The Ootorii is built at the intersection of the south approach and the approach to the shrine.
South Sando Torii (First Torii gate, Ichi no torii)
Minami-sando Torii (First Torii gate, Ichi no torii) is the closest to JR Harajuku Station and is the gateway to Meiji Shrine.
It stands at the entrance to the south approach to Meiji Shrine.
The first torii gate was built in 1920. At the time of its construction, cypress wood from Taiwan was used, but due to its age and corrosion, Yoshino cedar wood from Nara Prefecture was used on July 4, 2022 as part of the centenary commemoration project. It was used to rebuild into a new one.
After being rebuilt, the first torii gate is 11m high, the length of the cap is 15.6m, and the diameter of both pillars is 1.06m. Although it is the same size as Ichi-no-Torii when it was first built, the timber used was changed from Taiwanese cypress to domestic cedar, which is said to have made it lighter and stronger.
10 seconds walk from JR Harajuku Station West Exit
The first torii is right next to the west exit of JR Harajuku Station, so it’s very close.
You can reach the first torii gate in 10 seconds on foot. You will arrive without getting lost.
Approximately 10 minutes walk from Ichi no Torii to the main hall
It takes about 10 minutes on foot from the first torii gate to the main shrine.
Go through the first torii gate and go straight on the south approach.
Turn left and go under the large torii gate.
Go straight on the approach. There is no need to worry about getting lost as the approach is a single road.
Go under the third torii gate and continue straight ahead.
Go through the gate(Minamishin-mon, 南神門).
If you pass through the gate, you will arrive at the main shrine.
High quality and the ultimate in healing! Cafe “Mori no Terrace”
There is a cafe called “Mori no Terrace” on the grounds of Meiji Shrine, where you can relax in the grounds of Meiji Shrine.
It is located along the south approach to the shrine, so you can stop by and take a break after visiting the shrine.
The cafe sells drinks such as coffee, tea, beer and soft drinks, as well as food such as ice cream, cakes and donuts.
Soft and chewy! We recommend donuts with a gentle sweetness!
The cakes are delicious, but we also recommend the donuts, which you can eat casually. It is soft and chewy, has a very pleasant texture, and has a gentle sweetness that is very reassuring.
There are seats inside the cafe, but we recommend sitting outside on the terrace.
Cafe time on the grounds of Meiji Shrine is very relaxing. You can relax while being surrounded by nature in the middle of the city.
Meiji Shrine boasts the largest number of visitors in Japan during New Year’s visit
Meiji Shrine is one of the most famous shrines in Japan. Every year, the shrine records the highest number of worshipers in Japan during New Year’s visit.
In addition, the scenery is beautiful in each season, and you can enjoy completely different scenery depending on the season, such as cherry blossoms in the spring, fresh greenery in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and snowy scenery in the winter.
You can spend a relaxing time in a place where the sacred atmosphere and beautiful nature are in harmony. By visiting Meiji Shrine, you can experience Japanese history and tradition, forget the hustle and bustle of modern times, and feel pure in your heart. Please come and visit us.
