At the entrance of the Meiji-jingu you can find a traditional Japanese gate, also called "torii". It's one of the largest torii in Japan.

At the entrance of the Meiji-jingu you can find a traditional Japanese gate, also called "torii". It's one of the largest torii in Japan. (Photo: Isabella Landström)

A Trip to the Meiji Shrine

A beautiful evergreen forest in the center of Tokyo.

Anonymous Apr 07, 2017 - 1 min read

At the entrance of the Meiji-jingu you can find a traditional Japanese gate, also called "torii". It's one of the largest torii in Japan.

On a humid day in June, fog will create a mystical atmosphere inside the park.

A close-up of the bamboo fence.

These are barrels of sake, which were donated to the Meiji Shrine.

Inside the park is an Inner Garden (additional fee!), which is worth exploring. It's a calm and green place with a lot of botanical highlights.

There's also a small lake within the Inner Garden, where you can spot turtles and Nishikigoi.

This was taken while walking around the Inner Garden.

At the shrine itself, you can find a lot of prayer cards signed by the visitors of the Meji Shrine.

When visiting Tokyo for the first time, everything might seem overwhelming in the beginning. The city is big, loud and always busy. Nevertheless, there are some spots in Tokyo, which offer tranquility amidst the turmoil of the big city life. One of my favorite places is the Meji Shrine.

Not far from the Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line), the shrine is located in a forest of the size if 70 hectares. You can stroll around the park and enjoy the evergreen forest (120,000 trees in total!), sit by a lake in the Inner Garden and watch turtles living a carefree life, and pay a visit to the Meji Shrine itself. You can walk through the park in one go, or take your time and spend a couple of hours in the forest. It's especially enjoyable on a hot day, as the trees protect you from the sun and the air is refreshing.

More info

Find out more about Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Anonymous @isabella.landström__archived