Meiji Jingu Shrine In Tokyo

Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine is in Tokyo. It memorialises the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Erected in 1920, and destroyed in the firebombing in World War II. And built again after the war.

This Torii (Shinto gate) dominates the entrance to Meiji . You have to look at the people to get a sense of scale. The next two photos show trees along what looks like a windswept path.

In fact the Meiji Jingu Shrine is in Shibuya area in the middle of Tokyo. It is prime real estate. To get there, take the JR Yamanote Line on the Tokyo Metro to the Meiji-Jingumae Station. When you get to the station you won’t believe that just around the corner is a forest of seventy hectares (170 acres).

The designers planted over one hundred thousand trees, and and coaxed into shape. It looks as though the elements fashioned the forest over many years. This is a strong element is Japanese design, to create what looks like untamed nature, when in reality it is living art.

A tori at the entrance to Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo
trees along the path at Meiji Jingu that have been coaxed into shape to simulate windswept nature.
Meji Jingu shrine in Tokyo showing trees that  have been coaxed into a seemingly windswept landscape.

Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine is popular as a wedding venue. Here priests and guests walk across the courtyard in front of the main hall of the shrine.

Wedding procession at Meiji Jingu

This is one of several posts on our travels in Japan in Spring 2024.

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