After slurping down a comforting, steaming bowl of ramen at ICHIRAN in Asakusa for lunch, hubby and I hopped on the metro to check out one last shrine on our Tokyo itinerary: Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine) 明治神宮.
Neither of us is religious, so our shrine visits aren’t about traditional prayer or specific rituals. Instead, it’s that unmistakable, grounding energy Japanese shrines and temples have that keeps pulling us back. Just being there feels so peaceful and therapeutic—a feeling we fell in love with earlier in the trip when we visited Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya. We just wanted to slow down, wander under the trees, and soak up the calm.
Even with a steady drizzle falling over Tokyo that afternoon, making the trek out to Shibuya turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip.
Meiji Jingu Hides a Forest in the Middle of Tokyo
The moment you approach the grounds, Tokyo’s urban buzz simply evaporates. You’re welcomed by towering wooden Torii gates nestled right at the threshold of a massive, 170-acre evergreen forest.
Fun fact: this forest isn’t wild! Over 100,000 trees were donated and hand-planted from all over Japan when the shrine was built in the early 1900s to honour Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Walking along the wide gravel pathways under the canopy of twisted boughs was pure therapy. The rain made everything smell fresh and earthy, and the patter of raindrops against our umbrellas set such a relaxing rhythm. You instantly forget that modern fashion hubs like Harajuku and Omotesando are sitting just on the other side of the tree line.
Sake Barrels and Beautiful Traditions
Along the main trail heading toward the inner complex, we stopped by two of the shrine’s most photographed spots: the grand wall of decorative sake barrels (kazaridaru) and the vibrant wall of traditional lanterns. The sake barrels are donated annually by breweries across Japan as an offering to the deities, and seeing all the distinct calligraphy and colourful branding stacked high against the greenery was so striking in person.
Before passing through the final gates into the inner shrine courtyard, we made a stop at the Temizuya (purification water pavilion).
While modern tap setups have made it easy to follow along, there’s a lovely pictorial guide right at the basin walking you through the etiquette:
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Wash your hands.
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Cup a little water in your hand to rinse your mouth.
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Wash your hands once more before proceeding.
Even if you aren’t partaking for religious reasons, it’s a gentle, respectful ritual that helps you hit the mental reset button before entering the sanctuary.
The Grand South Gate & The Main Courtyard
Passing through the towering Minami-shinmon (South Gate) brought us into the vast open courtyard of the Main Shrine (Honden).
Even on a gloomy, wet afternoon with sea-of-clear-umbrella crowds, the vibe was quiet, respectful, and grounding. Flanking the main hall are two magnificent, round camphor trees connected by a sacred shimenawa rope (symbolising harmony and happy marriage), which looked especially lush against the rain-slicked flagstones.
We took our time strolling around the perimeter, admiring the dark Japanese cypress woodwork, sweeping rooflines, and gilded accents of the hall. We didn’t line up to make a wish—we just stood back, listened to the gentle rain, watched the mist roll over the rooftop, and absorbed the atmosphere. It provided the exact sense of stillness we were craving before heading home.
Meiji Jingu Visitor Guide: All the Practical Bits
If you’re planning your own visit, here is everything you need to know to get the most out of your trip:
1. How to Get to Meiji Jingu
Meiji Jingu is easily accessible via public transit:
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JR Yamanote Line: Take the train to Harajuku Station. Use the West/Omotesando Exit, and the shrine entrance (South Approach) is just a 1–2 minute walk away.
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Tokyo Metro: Take the Chiyoda or Fukutoshin Line to Meiji-jingumae Station (Exit 2).
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From Asakusa (Our Route): Take the Ginza Line from Asakusa to Omotesando Station, then either take a short walk or transfer one stop to Harajuku/Meiji-jingumae. It takes around 30–35 minutes total.
2. Admission & Opening Hours
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Admission: Entry to the main shrine grounds is completely free. (Note: The inner garden, Gyoen, charges a small ¥500 maintenance donation if you choose to enter).
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Hours: The shrine opens around sunrise and closes around sunset every day of the year, meaning opening hours shift slightly by month (roughly 5:00/6:00am to 5:00/6:30pm).
3. How Long Do You Need at Meiji Jingu?
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Plan for 1 to 1.5 hours. The walk from the main outer gate through the forest path to the central shrine takes about 10 to 15 minutes each way at an easy stroll. Factoring in time to admire the sake barrels, browse omamori (lucky charms) or write an ema (wooden wish tablet), and walk around the courtyard, about an hour or so is the sweet spot.
Is It Worth Visiting?
100% yes. Even if you’ve already visited Sensoji Temple in Asakusa (which is vibrant, bustling, and steeped in Buddhist history), Meiji Jingu offers an entirely different, serene Shinto experience. It’s an essential contrast that lets you see both sides of Tokyo—the energetic and historical, alongside the tranquil and nature-infused.
Plus, its location right next to Harajuku makes it super easy to pair with an afternoon of exploring Takeshita Street, Cat Street, or shopping along Omotesando!
