Meiji Shrine, also known as Meiji Jingu, is a Shinto shrine in Shibuya City, in the Kanto Region of Japan. It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, and it sits within a forest of about 175 acres in the middle of Tokyo. For a visitor, it offers an unusual change of pace: a quiet, wooded precinct a short walk from one of the busiest districts in the city.
What to expect
The shrine grounds are large, and most of the space is given over to trees rather than buildings. Paths wind through the forest, so the visit feels more like a walk in a park than a tour of a single monument. Visitors who come to see the shrine itself will find that its main buildings are set back within the trees, which adds to the sense of calm.
- Setting: a forest of about 175 acres in central Tokyo
- Purpose: a Shinto shrine honouring Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken
- Atmosphere: quiet, shaded and spacious
Planning your visit
The address is 1-1 Kamizono-cho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-8557, Japan. The shrine can be reached by public transport, and it makes a good half-day stop when combined with other parts of central Tokyo. If you want to confirm details before you go, the shrine can be contacted by telephone at +81-3-3379-5511.
Because the shrine is a place of worship as well as a visitor site, it is worth arriving with a respectful attitude, keeping voices low and following any posted signs. A slow pace suits the place best, and time spent wandering the forest paths is often the most rewarding part of the trip.
