A Green Oasis in the Heart of Tokyo

Just steps from the fashion crowds of Harajuku lies one of Tokyo’s most surprising places: Meiji Shrine, a tranquil Shinto sanctuary wrapped in a vast, hushed forest. Walking through its great wooden gates, the noise of the city fades and a deep calm takes over. It is a must-see for anyone wanting to feel the spiritual, peaceful side of Tokyo. Here is what to know.

What Is Meiji Shrine?

Meiji Jingu is Tokyo’s grandest Shinto shrine, dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who reigned during Japan’s rapid modernization. Completed in 1920, it is a place where visitors come to pray, reflect, and take part in timeless traditions. Despite sitting in the middle of one of the world’s biggest cities, it feels a world apart.

The Forest That People Planted

The shrine’s most remarkable feature is its forest. The roughly 170-acre woodland was not there naturally. In the 1920s, around 100,000 trees were donated from across Japan and planted by tens of thousands of volunteers. A century later it has grown into a lush, mature forest that feels ancient, a living gift from the people of Japan and a green lung for the city.

Meiji Shrine Highlights

  • Tokyo’s grandest Shinto shrine, completed in 1920.
  • Set in a 170-acre forest planted by volunteers.
  • Towering wooden torii gates and a serene main hall.
  • The famous walls of sake and wine barrel offerings.

What to See and Do

Enter beneath one of the enormous wooden torii gates and follow the gravel path through the forest to the main shrine complex. Along the way you will pass the striking walls of donated sake barrels and French wine barrels. At the shrine, you can watch or take part in customs like bowing, tossing a coin, and writing a wish on a wooden ema plaque. If you are lucky, you may even glimpse a traditional Shinto wedding procession.

Visit With Respect

Meiji Shrine is an active place of worship, so visit quietly and follow the simple etiquette: bow at the torii gate, keep to the sides of the path, and be respectful near the main hall, where photography is sometimes restricted. A little mindfulness honors the sacred space and makes the experience more meaningful.

See It on a Tokyo Tour

Meiji Shrine pairs beautifully with the lively Asakusa district for a day that balances Tokyo’s serene and bustling sides. On a guided tour, you get the history and traditions explained as you go. Ask us about our Full Tokyo tour featuring Meiji Shrine and Asakusa, and experience both faces of this incredible city.