# Meiji Jingu: Tokyo's forest shrine through the year

[Meiji Jingu](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1) is the Shinto shrine of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, set in a 70-hectare forest planted by hand a century ago next to Harajuku. Tokyo comes here for the first prayer of the year, for Coming of Age Day and for family milestones, yet on a weekday morning it is one of the quietest places in the city centre. The list below is updated daily with events at the shrine and in Yoyogi Park next door.

## What Meiji Jingu is

The shrine was founded in 1920 to honour Emperor Meiji, who reigned from 1867 to 1912, and Empress Shoken. Its forest is what people remember: about 100,000 trees were donated from all over Japan and planted by some 110,000 volunteers, with species chosen so the forest would renew itself. A century on it feels almost wild, with over 230 kinds of trees.

The main buildings were lost in 1945 and rebuilt in 1958 with donations from the public, in plain cypress with a green copper roof. The shrine is famous for its New Year: in most years it receives more visitors in the first three days of January than any other shrine or temple in Japan, around three million.

- → [Harajuku and Omotesando: pop-ups, shrine and park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/harajuku.md)
- → [Events in Shibuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shibuya.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## What to see, from the gate to the Inner Garden

From the Harajuku entrance a wide gravel path runs under the trees; allow at least ten minutes to the main shrine. Halfway along stands a wall of decorated sake barrels donated each year by brewers from around Japan, and facing it barrels of Burgundy wine, a nod to Emperor Meiji's taste for Western food and wine. Further on is the [great torii](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%20%E5%A4%A7%E9%B3%A5%E5%B1%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1), 12 metres tall, the largest wooden torii of its style in Japan, made from a 1,500-year-old cypress.

In the main courtyard, two tall camphor trees joined by a sacred rope are known as the [husband and wife trees](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%20%E5%A4%AB%E5%A9%A6%E6%A5%A0%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1), a favourite spot to pray for a good marriage. The omikuji here are different: instead of good or bad luck you draw a poem written by the Emperor or Empress, with an English version available. On weekends you will often see a wedding procession cross the courtyard behind a red umbrella.

The [Inner Garden](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%BE%A1%E8%8B%91%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1) (Gyoen) to the left of the south approach charges a small maintenance fee. It was laid out for Empress Shoken and holds a pond, a teahouse, [Kiyomasa's Well](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%B8%85%E6%AD%A3%E4%BA%95%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1), a spring popular as a place of good energy, and an iris field with over 150 varieties that blooms in June. The [Meiji Jingu Museum](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E3%83%9F%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A0%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA1-1) near the south entrance, designed by Kengo Kuma and opened in 2019, shows objects used by the Emperor and Empress; it is usually closed on Thursdays.

- Kiyomasa's Well gets a queue on weekends. Come soon after the garden opens.
- The museum has its own ticket. The shrine grounds themselves are free.

- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Museums and big exhibitions in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/museums.md)

## The year at Meiji Jingu

New Year is the shrine's biggest moment: the grounds usually stay open through the night from December 31 into January 1, and the crowds stay heavy for the first three days. On Coming of Age Day, the second Monday of January, twenty-year-olds in furisode kimono and hakama come to pray, and the shrine usually holds a traditional archery ceremony for them. The Spring Grand Festival from late April to early May brings court dance, noh and other traditional performances.

In June the irises bloom in the Inner Garden, usually best in mid-June. The Autumn Grand Festival centres on November 3, Emperor Meiji's birthday, with traditional performances and, in most years, mounted archery, while a chrysanthemum exhibition lines the approach from late October through most of November. In November the shrine is also full of families in kimono for Shichi-go-san, the blessing of children aged three, five and seven.

- → [New Year in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/new-year.md)
- → [Shichi-Go-San in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shichi-go-san.md)
- → [Autumn festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-festivals.md)
- → [Golden Week in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/golden-week.md)
- → [Traditional culture experiences in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/culture-experiences.md)
- → [Matsuri & Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/matsuri.md)
- → [Cultural & Ethnic Festivals events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/culture.md)

## Timing, crowds and etiquette

The shrine is free and open every day from sunrise to sunset, so closing time changes through the year, from late afternoon in winter to early evening in summer; the [official site](https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/en/visit/) lists each month's hours. The garden and museum keep shorter hours. Weekday mornings are the calmest, and the forest is pleasant even in midsummer heat. At New Year, expect one-way crowd control and long waits around midnight and on January 1; from about January 4 it becomes manageable again.

Bow once at each torii, walk to the side of the path rather than in the middle, rinse your hands at the water basin, then bow twice, clap twice and bow once at the main hall. The shrine asks visitors not to take photos or video at the main sanctuary where people pray, not to fly drones, to eat, drink and smoke only in designated areas, and to keep to the paths in the forest.

- There are no food stalls on the approaches on ordinary days. Bring water in summer.
- Paths are gravel. Wear flat shoes. Strollers and wheelchairs are slow going on gravel.

- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Taking photos at Tokyo events](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/photography.md)
- → [Tokyo in January](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-january.md)
- → [Free events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/free.md)
- → [This weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/this-weekend.md)

## Getting there and nearby

For the south entrance, use [Harajuku Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%8E%9F%E5%AE%BF%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D1-18-20&query_place_id=ChIJ_yy1ybqMGGAR0tPR4qiHDVY) on the JR Yamanote Line or [Meiji-jingumae Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%20%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D1-18-22) on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines, both right by the gate. The north entrance is about five minutes from [Yoyogi Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A81-34-1&query_place_id=ChIJH84I7sWMGGAR6pUfmg1VwU0) (JR and Toei Oedo Line) and close to [Kita-sando Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%A1%E3%83%88%E3%83%AD%E5%89%AF%E9%83%BD%E5%BF%83%E7%B7%9A%20%E5%8C%97%E5%8F%82%E9%81%93%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E5%8D%83%E9%A7%84%E3%83%B6%E8%B0%B74-7-11) on the Fukutoshin Line, and the west entrance is a few minutes from [Sangubashi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%94%B0%E6%80%A5%20%E5%8F%82%E5%AE%AE%E6%A9%8B%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A84-6-7) on the Odakyu Line.

[Yoyogi Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E3%80%85%E6%9C%A8%E7%A5%9E%E5%9C%92%E7%94%BA2-1) lies right next door and hosts food, music and international festivals on many weekends at its event square. [Takeshita-dori](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%AB%B9%E4%B8%8B%E9%80%9A%E3%82%8A%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D1%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) and [Omotesando](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E8%A1%A8%E5%8F%82%E9%81%93%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%8B%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%89%8D4%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) start across the road from Harajuku Station, and Shibuya is one stop south. Do not confuse the shrine with [Meiji Jingu Gaien](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%98%8E%E6%B2%BB%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%A4%96%E8%8B%91%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E5%8C%BA%E9%9C%9E%E3%83%B6%E4%B8%98%E7%94%BA1-1) in Aoyama, the separate outer garden known for its [ginkgo avenue](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E5%AE%AE%E5%A4%96%E8%8B%91%E3%81%84%E3%81%A1%E3%82%87%E3%81%86%E4%B8%A6%E6%9C%A8%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%AF%E5%8C%BA%E5%8C%97%E9%9D%92%E5%B1%B11%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE), which turns gold in late November.

- → [Harajuku and Omotesando: pop-ups, shrine and park](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/harajuku.md)
- → [Food festivals in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/food-festivals.md)
- → [Autumn leaves in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/autumn-leaves.md)
- → [How to spend a weekend in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weekend.md)
- → [Events in Shibuya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shibuya.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Hatsumode at Meiji Jingu 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/hatsumode-at-meiji-jingu-2027-7918)** — Fri, Jan 1, 2027 – Sun, Jan 3, 2027 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi) 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/coming-of-age-day-seijin-no-hi-2027-7923)** — Mon, Jan 11, 2027 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya) · price on the official site
- **[Tokyo Christmas Market 2026 (Meiji Jingu Gaien)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-christmas-market-2026-meiji-jingu-gaien-7913)** — Sat, Nov 21, 2026 – Fri, Dec 25, 2026 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Shrine (Shibuya) · price on the official site
- **[Yoyogi Park JAZZ FESTIVAL 2026](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/jazz-festival-in-yoyogi-park-2026)** — Tue, Nov 3, 2026 11:00 (JST) · Yoyogi Park Central Plaza (Shibuya) · Free entry
- **[57th Meiji Jingu Baseball Tournament – 100th Anniversary of Meiji Jingu Gaien](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/57th-meiji-jingu-baseball-tournament-100th-anniversary)** — Thu, Nov 19, 2026 – Tue, Nov 24, 2026 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Stadium (Shinjuku) · price on the official site
- **[No.12 Meiji Shrine Collaborative Lecture: Starlit Evening at the Meiji Shrine Treasure Museum](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/no12-meiji-shrine-collaborative-lecture-starlit-evening-at)** — Sat, Dec 19, 2026 17:00 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Treasure Museum (Shibuya) · ¥1,580
- **[Centennial Exhibition: Exploring the Monumental Murals of the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/centennial-exhibition-exploring-the-monumental-murals-of-the-meiji-memorial)** — Sat, Sep 26, 2026 10:00 – Sun, Dec 6, 2026 (JST) · Meiji Jingu Museum (Shibuya) · ¥1,000

## Questions people ask

**Is Meiji Jingu free to visit?**
Yes. The shrine and its forest are free. The Inner Garden asks for a small maintenance fee, and the Meiji Jingu Museum has its own ticket.

**What are Meiji Jingu's opening hours?**
It opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so the hours change every month. At New Year the grounds usually stay open all night from December 31 to January 1.

**How long do you need at Meiji Jingu?**
About an hour to walk from Harajuku to the main shrine and back. Add 30 to 45 minutes for the Inner Garden, and about an hour for the museum.

**When do the irises bloom in the Inner Garden?**
In June, usually at their best around the middle of the month. The garden often keeps longer hours in this season.

**How crowded is Meiji Jingu at New Year?**
Very. Around three million people visit in the first three days of January, with the longest waits around midnight on December 31 and during the day on January 1. Early morning or after January 4 is much easier.

**Can you take photos at Meiji Jingu?**
Yes, along the approaches and in the courtyard. The shrine asks you not to film or photograph at the main sanctuary where people pray, and drones are not allowed.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/meiji-jingu