Your Guide to Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo: Best Things to Do, Attractions, and Nearby Restaurants

Get to know Meiji Jingu Shrine

Built in 1920, Meiji Jingu Shrine spans 73 hectares of land and is home to 100,000 trees sourced from across Japan. Due to its central location, Meiji Jingu Shrine attracts over three million visitors annually during hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year,) making it one of the most visited sites in Japan.

The sacred ground is also popular for hosting traditional Shinto weddings, and if you’re visiting at the right time, you may be able to witness a procession on the shrine grounds.

Meiji Jingu Shrine: Details and access information

You can reach Meiji Jingu Shrine from four stations. Below is a summary of each entrance of Meiji Jingu Shrine and the nearest railway stations accessible by foot.

Harajuku Entrance: Steps away from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line;) Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda, Fukutoshin lines)

Takeshita Entrance: 5-min walk from Yoyogi Station (JR Yamanote Line, JR Sobu Line, Toei Subway Oedo Line;) Kitasando Station (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line)

Sangubashi Entrance: 3-min walk from Sangubashi Station (Odakyu Odawara Line)

Meiji Jingu Shrine
Address: 1-1 Yoyogikamizono-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3-min walk from JR Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line); 15-min walk from Yoyogi Koen Station Exit C02 (Chiyoda Line;) 5-min walk from Meiji-jingumae Station exits C03/F15 (Chiyoda, Fukutoshin lines;) 15-min walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman Station (Odakyu Line)
Official website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/

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6 best things to do at Meiji Jingu Shrine

Keep reading for six must-visit attractions at Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Walk through one of Japan's largest wooden torii gates

The first thing you'll notice upon entering Meiji Jingu Shrine is the massive wooden torii gate that marks the entrance to the premises. Unlike many torii gates made of stone or metal, the torii at Meiji Jingu Shrine is made entirely of cypress wood, which is associated with purity in Shinto rituals.

It’s one of the largest wooden torii gates in Japan, measuring 12 meters in height.

Marvel at stacked sake and wine barrels

After passing the large torii entrance gate, you'll come across walls of sake (Japanese rice wine) barrels, which have been donated by breweries from across Japan as a symbolic offering to the deities.

These barrels, adorned with traditional patterns, serve as decorative displays near the shrine's entrance, symbolizing celebration and auspicious occasions like New Year festivities and weddings.

Due to Emperor Meiji's affinity for Western culture and his particular fondness for wine, you'll also encounter walls of wine barrels adorning the pathway leading to the Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Pray for luck in marriage at the Camphor Tree Couple

The Meoto Kusu, or Camphor Tree Couple, at Meiji Jingu Shrine, are ancient camphor trees that symbolize marital harmony through their intertwined growth.

Believed to be around 800 years old, these trees represent the inseparable bond between husband and wife, serving as a symbol of enduring love and unity, and inviting couples to visit and pray for harmonious relationships and marital bliss.

Wish for good fortune at Kiyomasa's Well

Kiyomasa's Well, part of the south pond in the gardens of Meiji Jingu Shrine, is named after the feudal lord, Kato Kiyomasa. Legend has it that the well's water possesses purifying properties, believed to cleanse one's spirit and grant wishes for good fortune and success.

In the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden, you'll also find expansive fields of irises blooming around June each year. These irises were originally planted by Emperor Meiji in honor of Empress Shoken, with over 80 varieties flourishing during the shrine's construction.

Visit the Meiji Jingu Museum

On the way to the main shrine building from JR Harajuku Station, you'll notice a prominent glass-encased structure on your right—the Meiji Jingu Museum, designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. It opened in 2019 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the shrine’s establishment.

The two-story building displays historic artifacts related to the shrine, as well as items that were used by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The second floor features sections for permanent and special exhibitions.

Meiji Jingu Museum
Official website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/whattosee/museum/

Buy souvenirs and take a break at Forest Terrace

Next to the Meiji Jingu Museum, you'll find the Forest Terrace, a complex housing wedding venues as well as a cozy cafe, restaurant, and souvenir shop.

Inside the shop, you'll discover original souvenirs from Meiji Jingu Shrine alongside various Japanese sweets, sake, and miscellaneous goods. Whether you're looking for a personal memento or a gift to share, there's something here for everyone to enjoy.

Forrest Terrace
Official website: https://www.meijikinenkan.gr.jp/forestterrace-en/

Increase your luck with omamori amulets, ema plaques, and omikuji fortune slips

At Meiji Jingu Shrine, wooden ema plaques and omamori amulets are meticulously crafted with traditional designs and symbols, often featuring motifs related to the shrine's deities or cultural heritage.

Don’t forget to pick up an omikuji fortune slip as well, which includes a special Japanese waka poem with English translations.

You can find a list of all these lucky items on the shrine's official website.

4 places to visit around Meiji Jingu Shrine

After visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, head to these scenic spots in the Yoyogi and Harajuku area.

With Harajuku

Opened in June 2020, With Harajuku combines living with shopping, dining, and events, featuring stores like Ikea, Uniqlo, Dr. Martens, and the popular cafe and restaurant Shiseido Parlour—the perfect destination after a long shopping spree.

With Harajuku
Address: 1-14-30 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Steps away from JR Harajuku Station and Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae Station
Official website: https://withharajuku.jp/

Meiji Jingu Stadium

Meiji Jingu Stadium serves as the home turf for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows baseball team and holds a special place as a hallowed ground for college baseball.

Renowned Japanese author Haruki Murakami, celebrated for his novels Norwegian Wood and 1Q84, reflected in his essay collection What I Talk About When I Talk About Running that he decided to become a novelist after watching a baseball game at Meiji Jingu Stadium. If you're a fan of Murakami's work, be sure to pay this site a visit.

Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue

The ginkgo tree-lined pathway in Meiji Jingu Shrine's outer gardens, Jingu Gaien, is famous for its stunning views resembling a golden tunnel during autumn. It's highly regarded as a chic and picturesque destination, often chosen as a filming location for TV series and movies.

Yoyogi Park

As one of Tokyo's largest parks, Yoyogi Park is adorned with numerous cherry blossom trees, drawing hordes of visitors for hanami (flower viewing) picnics every spring. Moreover, the park frequently hosts flea markets and festivals on weekends, making it a lively and bustling destination.

3 best cafes and restaurants around Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu Shrine, located near Harajuku's bustling Takeshita Street, is surrounded by numerous eateries offering delicious meals. Below are three popular restaurants that are conveniently located within walking distance of the shrine.

Sarutahiko Coffee The Bridge Harajuku Station

Located on the second floor of Harajuku Station, this branch of Sarutahiko Coffee serves not only coffee, but also desserts, ice cream, and a selection of roasted coffee beans and souvenirs available only at the Harajuku branch.

Sarutahiko Coffee The Bridge Harajuku Station
Address: Harajuku Station 3F, 1-18-20 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Inside JR Harajuku Station
Official website: https://sarutahiko.jp/en/pages/the-bridge-harajuku (in Japanese only)

Kumada

Located in Harajuku, Kumada offers a luxurious selection of seafood dishes including salmon sashimi, seared salmon, and salmon roe rice bowls. The latter comes with a free bowl of salmon ochazuke, where hot green tea is poured over rice for a warm and nourishing meal.

Kumada
Address: Sukigara Bldg B1F, 3-20-10 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 6-min walk from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Official website: http://kumada.tokyo/ (in Japanese only)

Afuri Harajuku Store

Afuri Ramen specializes in a refreshing and flavorful broth made from natural spring water sourced from the foothills of Mount Afuri in Kanagawa Prefecture. The store’s signature yuzu citrus-infused salt-flavored ramen (Yuzu Shio Ramen) is a favorite among patrons, but you can also opt for tsukemen dipping noodles as well as seasonal ramen bowls.

Afuri Harajuku Store
Address: Grande Foresta 1F, 3-63-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: Steps away from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Official website: https://afuri.com

Discover Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu Shrine serves as a tranquil haven amidst the bustling Shibuya district. While traveling in Tokyo, be sure to visit this historical shrine and its surrounding attractions.

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*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.

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