Meiji Jingu Shrine
Tokyo, Japan

Click bottom photo to see Kamakura Pictures.

One of Meiji Jingu's two gateways.

The Meiji Jingu [Shrine] is perhaps not the oldest, nor the most impressive religious edifice that Tokyo has to offer but it is peaceful, exceedingly green and extremely convenient to get to, easily accessible from the Yamanote line's Harajuku station or Chiyoda line's Meiji-Jingumae stations.

Furthermore, any tourist serious about Tokyo sightseeing, shopping or youth culture will want to visit the fashionable area of Harajuku, shop in Omotesando or cruise the street music scenes and gawp at Japan's young tribal groups around Yoyogi park at the weekend.

Lucky travellers may catch a Shinto wedding ceremony at Meiji shrine.

Meiji Jingu was finished in 1920 [though partly rebuilt after WWII], a memorial to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken who ruled Japan from 1868 to 1912 and oversaw the modernisation of the country.

Note that the entry route from either direction is quite lengthy.

Apart from weddings Meiji Jingu also hosts various festivals and celebrations, notably a massive New Year event.

Ema, personal prayer tablets hung around Meiji Jingu shrine's Divine Tree. Wishes are conveyed to Shinto deities every morning by priests. Click for Kamakura Pictures.

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