Visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine

About Meiji Jingu Shrine

Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this Shinto shrine stands in a forest of around 100,000 trees donated from across Japan and planted in the 1910s. Huge wooden torii gates lead along gravel paths to the main hall, where traditional wedding processions often pass on weekends.

Tip: Enter from the Harajuku side and leave through the quieter Yoyogi side, or continue into Yoyogi Park next door.

Plan your visit

• Time needed: 1–1.5 hours.
• Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
• Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
• Where: Harajuku.

Best time to visit Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Jingu Shrine is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:

• October: 22°C (72°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, busy crowds.
• December: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 5 rainy days, moderate crowds.
• November: 17°C (63°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, busy crowds.

When to visit Tokyo has the full month-by-month picture.

Fit it into your trip

Our 3-day Tokyo itinerary visits Meiji Jingu Shrine on day 1, together with Senso-ji Temple, Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Skytree.

• No. 2 of the 20 sights in our Tokyo things-to-do list.
• Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 4-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
• Day 1 of the 7-day plan.
• Listed in free things to do in Tokyo.
• One of the picks in outdoors in Tokyo.

Near Meiji Jingu Shrine

Also in Harajuku, so you can walk between them:

• Harajuku and Takeshita Street — 1–2 hours, free

If you like Meiji Jingu Shrine

• Senso-ji Temple — Asakusa, 1–2 hours
• Ueno Park — Ueno, 2–3 hours
• Imperial Palace East Gardens — Marunouchi, 1–1.5 hours
• Yanaka — Yanaka, Half a day

Staying near Meiji Jingu Shrine

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