A grand Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set within a 70-hectare forested sanctuary. The forested approach along wide gravel paths lined with towering trees creates a serene escape from the city. The shrine is Tokyo's most visited and hosts major ceremonies including New Year, when millions come to pray.
Meiji Shrine sits within a 70-hectare forest in the middle of Shibuya-ku, planted specifically for the shrine's completion in 1920 using roughly 100,000 trees donated from across Japan, and it has since matured into a dense, self-sustaining woodland that feels wholly separate from the surrounding city. Visitors enter beneath towering wooden torii gates, built from Japanese cypress, and follow a wide gravel approach that curves gently through the forest for roughly ten minutes before reaching the shrine's main courtyard. Along the way stand rows of sake barrels and, opposite them, wine barrels from Burgundy, both donated in Emperor Meiji's honor. The main shrine hall (Honden), rebuilt after wartime destruction using traditional nagare-zukuri architecture, is where visitors offer prayers, purchase ema wooden wish tablets, and can often observe traditional Shinto weddings on weekends, with the bride and groom in full ceremonial dress processing across the courtyard. The separate Inner Garden (Jingu Gyoen), requiring a small fee, holds an iris garden at its best in June and a scenic pond used historically by the Emperor for fishing. A full visit combining the forest walk, main shrine, and inner garden takes about 90 minutes; skipping the garden shortens this to roughly an hour. Weekday mornings are notably calm, with mainly local worshippers and joggers using the forest paths, while weekends bring far larger crowds drawn by wedding processions and the popularity of adjoining Harajuku. The shrine is at its most crowded during the first three days of the New Year, when several million visitors come for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year. The forest approach itself, with dappled light through the tall trees, offers the most distinctive photo opportunities.
Location
1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557
Highlights
- Towering wooden torii gate
- Main shrine hall (Honden)
- Sake and wine barrel displays
- Inner garden with irises (June)
- Traditional Shinto ceremonies
Tips for visiting
- Walk through the forest path — the trees were all planted when the shrine was built in 1920
- Write wishes on ema (wooden tablets) for ¥600
- Combine with Harajuku Takeshita Street visit (5 min walk)
- Look for traditional Shinto wedding processions, most common on weekend mornings
- The Inner Garden requires a separate small fee and is easy to miss if not sought out
When to visit
Weekday mornings offer the most peaceful visit; the shrine is at its most crowded during the New Year holiday (January 1-3) for hatsumode.
Accessibility
The main gravel approach is wide and flat, making it manageable for wheelchairs and strollers, though the surface is loose gravel rather than paved, which can be harder going in wet weather.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Meiji Shrine take?
A visit covering the forest approach and main shrine takes about an hour, or up to 90 minutes including the Inner Garden.
Is Meiji Shrine worth it for kids?
Yes, the forest paths are easy walking and children often enjoy spotting the sake barrels and, on weekends, traditional wedding processions.
Is photography allowed at Meiji Shrine?
Photography is generally allowed in the forest and courtyard, though it may be restricted inside the Honden and during active wedding ceremonies out of respect.