Use this as a reference for your first visit of the year and sightseeing at Meiji Shrine. Recommended pilgrimage routes and visits to power spots to bring good fortune and good luck.

Meiji Shrine New Year's visit information for 2025

Meiji Jingu Shrine boasts the largest number of New Year's visitors in Japan. During the year-end and New Year's holidays, the hours of worship and the opening and closing of the gates are different from usual, so please refer to the table below. During the Hatsumode period, the gates are closed longer than usual, but we recommend that you have plenty of time to visit the shrine. Especially from 22:00 on New Year's Eve to 3:00 on New Year's Day and after 10:00 on Sanganichi (three days of the New Year), the shrine encourages visitors to disperse their visits to the shrine as it gets crowded.

Reference: Meiji Shrine official website

Recommended route to visit Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is characterized by its vast grounds, surrounded by lush greenery like a forest. To help you tour the shrine efficiently, we will introduce a recommended itinerary and time required by the editorial department, based on a map. Be sure to check the locations so you don't miss any of the must-see spots. Please use this as a reference.

1. First, head to the main hall

When you arrive at Meiji Shrine, we recommend that you suppress the urge to wander around the Imperial Gardens and pay your respects to the deity enshrined there and first visit the main hall. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the main hall from Harajuku Station along Minami-sando. Take a leisurely stroll along the approach surrounded by trees, soaking up the minus ions.

2. Check out the Couple Camphor Trees and the Kagura Hall

There is a pair of camphor trees next to the main hall, so please put your hands together and pray for a good encounter. Charms, fortune slips, and goshuin stamps are available at the Nagadono Hall, across from the Kagura Hall.

3. Visit the Imperial Palace, packed with things to see

Return to the entrance of the Imperial Palace by the way you came. If you take your time and take a rest on the benches scattered around, you can easily spend more than 30 minutes walking around. Start at Kiyomasa Well and follow the flow of the spring water.

4. Finally, relax around Kitaike Pond

Another spot we recommend you visit is Kameishi, located near Kitaike Pond. This is also popular as a power spot. Kameishi stands alone on the grass around the bridge of Kitaike Pond, and when you get closer you will find that it has a surprisingly strong presence. The grass surrounding Kameishi is also a healing spot that you would never expect in the city. Finally, relax to your heart's content in the field and rest your feet after a long walk.

Meiji Shrine's highlights and power spots

Meiji Shrine is a historic shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken. Among the many attractions, we have carefully selected and listed the must-see spots. We will also introduce some trivia that will help you enjoy Meiji Shrine even more.

Donated sake and wine from all over the country are a sight to behold.

As you walk along the south approach, rows of sake and wine barrels appear on both sides. Empty sake containers called komodaru (sake straw barrels) that were donated from all over Japan are lined up here. Emperor Meiji was an active adopter of Western culture and enjoyed wine, so he apparently received wine donations from the Burgundy region of France. It's a rare sight to see wine barrels donated to a shrine.

The largest torii gate in Japan with a solemn atmosphere

The first great torii gate was built at the same time as the Meiji Shrine was founded, but it was damaged by lightning in 1966. There were attempts to rebuild it, but there were no cypress trees large enough in Japan.

So, with the help of the local people, a large tree over 1,500 years old found in Taiwan was transported to Japan and constructed as the second great torii in 1975. It is 12 meters high, 17.1 meters wide, and has pillars with a diameter of 1.2 meters, making it the largest wooden Myojin torii in Japan. It is a magnificent torii that overwhelms all visitors.

An auspicious corner deliberately set at 88 degrees

There is a corner on the approach to the main shrine after passing through the large torii gate. In fact, this place is also a lucky spot. This corner is called "Masugata" and although it looks like it is 90 degrees at first glance, it is actually set at 88 degrees. The number 8 (八) is considered lucky as it widens at the end, making it a hidden power spot. Please pay attention to this corner when you turn.

The main hall where Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are enshrined

The main shrine is located on a spacious stone-paved street just beyond the south shrine gate from the main approach. Built in 1920 (Taisho 9), it features a wide, curved roof built in the Sangensha Nagare-zukuri architectural style. The original shrine building, which took about five years to build, was mostly destroyed in the Great Tokyo Air Raid of 1945 (Showa 20). After the war, reconstruction funds were raised not only from within Japan but also from overseas, and the shrine was rebuilt in 1958 (Showa 33).

Meiji Shrine's unique charms and fortune slips

In the shrine forest, there are trees that break due to wind and rain, or that fall naturally. From these trees, Kodama is made into a wooden bell for good luck. Because Kodamas are made one by one from various trees, they all have different colors, grains, sounds.

Meiji Shrine's amulet, the "Shin Ga Jyoju Minori-mamori" (Amulet for fulfilling one's wishes), is a wooden tag made from the sacred tree of Meiji Shrine that you write your wish on and then wear.

The fortune slips at Meiji Shrine are called "Oomi gokoro". Different from usual fortune slips Omikuji, they do not indicate your fortunes. You can find poems composed by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Poems of most thought-provoking meanings about life are selected and it is provided with explanatory notes.

Meiji Shrine's Goshuin

Meiji Shrine is where you can get a goshuin, a seal with a deep connection to the Imperial family. It features the Imperial family crest seal of the "Twelve-leaf chrysanthemum" and "Five-three paulownia" with a simple design of "worship," "shrine name," "visit date," and "shrine seal," and is marked with the "Imperial calendar" seal. The Imperial calendar is the Japanese calendar, which begins with the year that Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor, ascended to the throne, and is a rare notation unique to Meiji Shrine.

Goshuin stamps are given out at the "Nagaden" in front of the Kaguraden. (From 9:00 until closing time, *the reception location may change depending on the day) Especially around the New Year holidays, there may be lines of several hours or more, so we recommend checking the official website in advance. Also, during the New Year holidays, goshuin stamps are given out at a temporary goshuin office instead of the Nagaden, so please check this as well.

The pair of camphor trees that are said to bring good luck in relationships

The two camphor trees standing close together, known as the Couple Camphor Trees, are said to bring good luck in finding a partner or finding a good match. The two camphor trees were donated when Meiji Shrine was founded, and are loved as symbols of marital harmony and household safety, as Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken had a good relationship. The Couple Camphor Trees have survived the ravages of war and are over 100 years old. They are immensely popular as a power spot, and it is said that even more good luck will come your way if you pray from between the Couple Camphor Trees towards the worship hall.

Heart symbols seen everywhere

You can find heart marks on the doors of the South Shrine Gate leading to the main hall. In fact, they are not heart marks but are called Inome, and as the name suggests, they are patterned after the eyes of a wild boar. Inspired by the fact that wild boars quickly flee from forest fires, the inome is meant to ward off fires. You can find Inome hidden in the architecture, such as the decorative metal fittings on the doors and the kenfish on the roof.

A garden beloved by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken

After worshiping at the main hall, the spot you should definitely visit is the Imperial Garden. During the Edo period, the Imperial Garden was the garden of the Kato and Ii families' secondary residences, but during the Meiji period it became an imperial estate and is said to have been a famous garden beloved by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

Kiyomasa Well, a well that springs in the city

The location of Kiyomasa Well was where the Kato family's lower residence was located during the Edo period, and it is said that Kiyomasa Kato dug it. The water in the well is very clear, and the quietly gushing pure water gives the well a mystical atmosphere.
This is one of the precious springs in Tokyo, and the water that springs from here not only serves as the source of water for Minami Pond, but also flows towards Shibuya and connects to the Shibuya River.
Although it is called pure water, it is not drinkable, so you cannot drink it. However, even if you visit the well and look at the clear water gushing out, you will be blessed.

The Imperial Gardens Developed for Empress Shoken

The iris fields, one of the highlights of the Imperial Palace, were created by Emperor Meiji for Empress Shoken, who loved irises. The spectacle of around 150 varieties of irises in full bloom is a must-see, and is at its peak from early to mid-June. You can also enjoy the autumn leaves in December.

An elegant pond surrounded by trees

In Minamiike Pond(water from Kiyomasa Well), the water lilies are in full bloom in June, the same time as the irises. Migratory birds such as herons and kingfishers can also be seen in the summer, and tufted ducks in the winter. There is also a fishing area where Empress Shoken is said to have enjoyed fishing, and you can get a panoramic view of the carp swimming leisurely and the trees lining Minamiike Pond. It is a place where you can feel nature so that you will forget you are in the city.

Kameishi(Turtle Rock) , one of the most powerful spots in Meiji Shrine

Near the North Pond, there is a rock called Kameishi (Turtle Rock) because of its resemblance to a turtle. It is a popular spot within Meiji Shrine, where you can feel a particularly strong power. It might be worth touching it with your hands or getting up close.

Near Kameishi is a grassy area where you can see people taking a comfortable nap during the day. One of the attractions of Meiji Shrine is that if you get tired of walking, you can take a rest on the grass and relax in the sun.

The Sazareishi that appears in the national anthem

The Sazareishi next to the previously introduced Kameishi is also a popular power spot. The pebbles, which appear in the lyrics of the national anthem "Kimigayo," are small limestone pebbles that have been dissolved in rainwater over a long period of time and stuck together, and are said to have the power of purification.
In addition, the Treasure Hall in front of the Sazareishi displays treasures related to Emperor Meiji. We also recommend taking a stroll around the power spots.

What is Meiji Shrine? Learn about its origins

Meiji Shrine is famous not only as a representative shrine of Tokyo but of Japan as well, but it is surprisingly new, having been founded in 1920. We will trace the history of how Meiji Shrine was created and how it has been protected to the present day.

Built for Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, beloved by the people

The Meiji Shrine enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Construction plans for the shrine began in 1915 (Taisho 4) to honor the great achievements of Emperor Meiji, who built the foundations of modern Japan, and Empress Shoken, who was involved in social work such as supporting the Red Cross and strengthening women's education.

A majestic forest created by human hands

Walking through Meiji Shrine, you feel as if you are in a forest. This lush forest that spreads across the sacred grounds surrounding the main shrine was not originally there, but is an artificial forest that was created on land that was once wilderness. A grand plan to create an "eternal forest" that would continue to regenerate naturally was launched in 1915 (Taisho 4). Approximately 100,000 trees were donated and planted by a total of 110,000 members of the youth group.

Now, about 100 years after the start of the plan, the tree continues to grow according to the natural cycle without human intervention through carefully calculated tree planting. The only thing people do is return the fallen leaves from the approach to the forest. Fallen leaves returned to the forest and returned to the soil to nourish themselves and help nurture new life.

This manmade forest, which was built over a 100-year project and is home to a mixture of many different types of trees, can only be seen at Meiji Shrine.

Experience Japanese tradition at Meiji Shrine

Ceremonies held throughout the year

At Meiji Shrine, various ceremonies are held throughout the year to pray for the happiness of the nation and its people, world peace, and more. The most important of these is the annual festival held on the birthday of Emperor Meiji on November 3rd. On this day, an imperial envoy is dispatched from the Imperial Court, and you can see him procession to the main hall. In addition to these ceremonies, you can often see ordinary people holding Shinto weddings here.

Why are the "chrysanthemum" and "paulownia" crests used?

The sacred crest of Meiji Shrine is a rare combination of the chrysanthemum and paulownia. The chrysanthemum crest has been passed down by the Imperial Family since the Kamakura period and has become a symbol of the Emperor. The number of petals also has different meanings, and the crest with 16 petals is the official crest that can only be used by the Imperial Family. When the shrine was first built, there were no such restrictions, so the 16-petal crest is used on the buildings of Meiji Shrine, but nowadays, out of consideration for the Imperial Family, the 12-petal chrysanthemum is used as the crest of Meiji Shrine.

The paulownia is famous as the family crest of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Like the chrysanthemum crest, it was passed down to the Imperial family and was adopted as the crest of the Japanese government during the Meiji period, where it remains to this day.

The chrysanthemum crest is a "private nature" because it was personally favored by Emperor Gotoba, who first used it as the crest of the imperial family, while the paulownia crest is a "public nature." Meiji Shrine is one of the few shrines where both the chrysanthemum and the paulownia crests can be seen, precisely because it enshrines Emperor Meiji, who used both.

You can feel the thoughts of our ancestors everywhere, including the forest built with the hope that it will last forever, the main shrine and the large torii gate, which have been rebuilt despite the ravages of war and disasters. In 2020, it celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The Meiji Shrine enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who had a major impact on the modernization of Japan, and is the result of the tireless efforts of many people, which is why it is called a power spot. Please come and see it for yourself.

Access to Meiji Shrine

*If you come by car, you cannot enter from the Harajuku or Sangubashi exits. Please enter from the Yoyogi exit.

Meiji Shrine

Originally posted on January 10, 2020 (some content was updated on November 28, 2024)

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