Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Meiji Shrine
Dedicated to the memory of the Meiji Emperor
(1868-1912) and his consort Shoken, Meiji shrine
is a fine example of restrained Shinto architecture.
Completed in 1920, the shrine was destroyed in an
air raid in 1945. The current reconstruction is indis-
tinguishable from the original. The gravel paths and
courtyards of the grounds host cultural events,
ranging from Noh, Kyogen, court dances, and
music performances to horseback archery, winter
ice sculptures, and calligraphy shows.
!
Ichi no Torii
The 36-ft (11-m) gate
(above)
is Japan's largest
torii
. It was built from
1,600-year-old Japanese
hinoki
cypress trees
transported from Alishan
Mountain in Taiwan.
Top 10 Features
1 Ichi no Torii
2 Main Shrine
3 Second Torii
4 Meiji Shrine Iris Garden
5 Votive Tablets
6 Imperial Treasure House
7 JR Bridge
8 Traditional Wedding
Processions
9 Evergreen Forest
0 Souvenir Store
Visitors buying
omikuji
,
fortune-telling paper strips
Sensible shoes are
recommended for
the shrine, a ten-
minute walk along
a gravel path.
The boundary of
adjacent Yoyogi
Park
@
Main Shrine
has
many stalls selling
Japanese snacks,
light meals, hot
dogs, and
refreshments.
(see p47)
This understated yet
elegant shrine
(center)
reflects the classic Shinto
style in its oxidized roofs,
hanging banners, and pillars
of cypress and camphor.
#
Second Torii
$
Meiji Shrine
• Map B5
• 1-1 Yoyogi-
Kamizonocho,
Shibuya-ku
• 3379-5511
• Harajuku, Harajuku
JR Yamanote line, Meiji-
Jingumae, Chiyoda
subway
• Meiji Shrine: open
dawn to dusk; Meiji
Shrine Iris Garden: open
9am-5pm; Imperial
Treasure House: open
Sat-Sun, national
holidays, festival days
• Adm (for Meiji Shrine
Iris Garden and Imperial
Treasure House)
Iris Garden
A wooded path leads into
a sunken garden
(below)
,
bordered by misty woods
and thatched gazebos. In
early June, purple, pink,
and white irises bloom
in the water garden.
This gate signals a left
turn into the Inner Garden.
Torii
(gates) symbolize the
perch on which a mytholo-
gical cock sat before it
announced the dawn that
lured the sun goddess
Amaterasu from her cave.
24
The 16-petal chrysanthemum medallions on the top bar of Ichi
no Torii are a symbol of the imperial family.
