Visiting Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

The Japanese consider their 122nd leader, Emperor Meiji, to be the founder of modern Japan.

Not in a political or geographical sense – the country was well and truly established by the first 121 emperors. But in a cultural sense, he laid the foundations for the country which we know today.

It’s for this reason he is commemorated at one of the most important landmarks in Tokyo – the Meiji Shrine, known in Japanese as Meiji Jingu (which obviously bears his name).

The Meiji Shrine is one of the main tourists attractions in Tokyo and, for locals, it’s also one of their most important religious sites.

Beyond that, it also tells the tale of modern Japan through the story of Emperor Meiji himself.

Around the Meiji Shrine is a large park with tens of thousands of trees – which I’ll talk more about in a moment. But at its heart is the sanctuary where people come for prayer, along with the associated buildings set beyond a welcoming tori gate.

When you come, you’ll likely head straight for the main shrine. But my first piece of advice for visiting Meiji Shrine is to leave some time to explore the parklands around it because they’re a natural oasis in a hectic city of skyscrapers and modernity.

My second piece of advice is to learn a little about Emperor Meiji, because there’s a reason he had such a monumental tribute built for him here in Tokyo.

Who was Emperor Meiji?

Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and, in the years before his death, he faced a period where Japan was being forced to open itself more to the world.

But rather than continue with the isolationist attitude of his predecessors and fight the tides of globalisation, he carved out a path that would lead to the rise of Japan in the 20th and 21st centuries.

He took the initiative to promote harmonious relationships with other cultures, introduce the ways of the Western world and develop technology from overseas – but do it all while preserving the unique traditions and identities of his nation.

If that sounds like modern Japan, you’re right. Emperor Meiji moulded a society that looks very similar to the one I’m visiting now – one that has survived war, depression and cultural imperialism without losing its identity or its friends (in the long term… let’s not talk about that difficult period in the 1940s).

The story of Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

The people of Japan had so much love and respect for Emperor Meiji that they wanted to give his memory a gift after his death.

The large forest the Meiji Shrine sits in was donated by the public. In total, more than 100,000 trees were gifted to build the park which is still an oasis of green in the world’s largest city.

The main shrine buildings in the centre of the park are made from Japanese cypress with copper plates for the roof. The current buildings were constructed in 1958 after the original ones were bombed during the Second World War (remember that difficult period I mentioned just before?).

In the central complex, there is also a sacred music hall and some smaller buildings used to house artwork. Further afield, in the forest, you can find a treasure museum and a martial arts training hall.

The Meiji Shrine is one of the busiest sites in Tokyo for tourists. There’s a steady stream constantly walking underneath the enormous tori gates at the entrances.

Perhaps they come because their guidebook told them they should, perhaps they come because it’s free and seems like an attractive option for a morning in an otherwise quite expensive city, or maybe they come because it’s next to the popular sightseeing area of Harajuku.

Visiting Meiji Shrine

I think that a visit to the Meiji Shrine is one of the best things you can do in Tokyo. It offers a fascinating look at the heritage and culture of Japan, blending the Shinto religion with the country’s imperial history.

If you’re visiting the city, I’ve put together this 3-day Tokyo itinerary, which shows you the best way to visit Meiji Shrine while also seeing the other city highlights.

It’s very easy to visit Meiji Shrine because it’s well-connected to public transport, free to enter, and open all day.

There is no particular dress code, although I would suggest you don’t wear anything too inappropriate because it is an important religious site.

You can take photos at Meiji Jingu except in the main sanctuary where people are praying. But, as you would expect, drones are not allowed.

Tokyo is an easy city to get around, with one of the best public transport systems in the world. But its size can be daunting, especially with language and cultural barriers.

If you’ve never been to Tokyo before (and, to be honest, even if you have), spending a day with a local tour guide can be an excellent way to get a sense of the city and learn more about the Japanese capital.

You might like to have a look at one of these tours, which can be customised to also include the Meiji Shrine.

Ultimately, although Meiji Shrine gets a lot of visitors each day, I doubt many of them come here specifically because they are interested in Emperor Meiji and want to see his shrine.

However, his rule over Japan is one of the country’s most significant periods and it’s worth learning more about his life.

In some ways, it is respectful to pay him some credit. Without his foresight and guidance in Japan, we might still not be welcome here!