Meiji Jingu

東京都

70-hectare sacred forest in central Tokyo — Japan's busiest New Year shrine

Founded

1920

Type

Shrine

Visited

Want to go

Access

1 min walk from JR Harajuku Station

1-1 Yoyogi Kamizono-cho, Shibuya

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Info

Shrine

Founded 1920

106 years

Enshrined Deity

明治天皇

昭憲皇太后

Overview

Founded in 1920 to enshrine Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, the shrine stands in a 700,000-square-meter sacred forest of 365 tree species planted by volunteers from across Japan. It draws over 3 million New Year worshippers — more than any other shrine in Japan. The Meiji Jingu Museum and treasure hall preserve imperial relics. The Kiyomasa's Well is also a popular power spot. 1 min walk from JR…

Origins

Consecrated in 1920 to enshrine Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. 110,000 youth volunteers planted approximately 100,000 donated trees, creating an artificial sacred forest that has grown into a natural ecosystem over 100 years. Japan's most-visited shrine for hatsumode, drawing over 3 million visit…

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Festivals & Events
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1月

Meiji Jingu Hatsumode

Meiji Jingu holds the record for the most New Year visitors in Japan, with about 3 million during the first three days. Walking through the expansive sacred forest, visitors experience a solemn atmosphere surprising for central Tokyo.

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Related Articles
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Meiji Jingu Complete Guide: History, Forest, and Visiting Tips

Tokyo's premier Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set within a vast 700,000-square-meter man-made forest that has matured into a near-natural woodland over a century. Japan's top destination for New Year shrine visits, drawing approximately 3 million worshippers annually.

architecture

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Tanabata: The History and Shrine Traditions of Japan's Star Festival

Tanabata on July 7th combines Chinese Qixi traditions with Japan's native Tanabata-tsume beliefs. Discover the origins of wish-writing on paper strips and the best shrine destinations for Star Festival celebrations.

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Omiyamairi — Complete Guide to Japan's Baby Shrine Visit: History, Rituals, and Best Shrines

Omiyamairi is a Shinto rite of passage performed around 30 days after a baby's birth, reporting the birth to the local guardian deity. Tracing to Heian-period court ceremonies, this guide covers timing by gender, proper dress, typical honorarium amounts, and Japan's most celebrated shrines for this ceremony.

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Visiting Information

Hours

Gates open at sunrise and close at sunset, so hours vary by month (e.g., January 6:40 AM–4:20 PM, June around 5:00 AM–6:10 PM, December 6:40 AM–4:00 PM). Goshuin reception: 9:00 AM until closing.

Admission

Free to visit the main shrine grounds. Only Meiji Jingu Gyoen (Inner Garden) requires an entry contribution of ¥500 (hours vary seasonally; roughly 9:00 AM–4:30 PM March–October, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM November–February).

As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.

Also Worth Visiting

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Konno Hachimangu

Founded 1092 as guardian of Shibuya Castle — famed for Kinno cherry blossoms and a 1612 shrine hall built by Kasuga no Tsubone and Aoyama Tadatoshi

Founded in 957 by enshrining the Kumano Sanzan deities — an ancient purification shrine in the Aoyama backstreets

1.4km

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