Meiji Shrine
Meiji Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, whose reign oversaw Japan's rapid modernization in the late 1800s, and sits within a large forested area donated and planted specifically for the shrine using trees contributed from across Japan, creating what feels like deep forest despite being right in central Tokyo. The approach path passes beneath massive wooden torii gates and, on some days, visitors may see traditional Shinto weddings taking place in the shrine's inner precinct.
It's one of Tokyo's most visited shrines, especially crowded around New Year, but the wide gravel paths and forest setting absorb crowds better than many smaller shrines, and it remains a genuinely calm walk most of the year.
Meiji Shrine FAQs
The surrounding woods were deliberately planted when the shrine was established in 1920, using trees donated from across Japan, creating an artificial but now mature forest that fully surrounds the shrine buildings.
No, the main grounds are free; the inner treasury museum charges separate paid admission.
Traditional Shinto weddings sometimes take place in the inner precinct and may be visible to visitors, though this isn't guaranteed on any given day.
Extremely — it's one of Japan's most popular hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) destinations, drawing enormous crowds in early January.
About 1-1.5 hours for the grounds.
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