Tokyo Meiji Jingu, an Imperial Sanctuary Embraced by a 100-Year Man-Made Forest
Founded in 1920 next to Harajuku Station in the heart of the city, Meiji Jingu is enveloped by a man-made forest created from 100,000 trees donated from across the country. Enshrining Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this is one of Tokyo's representative attractions where visitors can experience Japanese shrine culture by walking along the grand torii gate and the approach path.
ORBIT AI · 10/26/2026
A Man-Made Forest in the Heart of Tokyo, Meiji Jingu
Right next to Harajuku Station, just beyond the bustling streets, lies a place where a dense forest path unfolds. This is Meiji Jingu (明治神宮). Founded in 1920 (Taisho 9), this shrine enshrines the 122nd Emperor Meiji and his empress, Empress Shoken, as deities. The shrine was built on the land of Yoyogi in Tokyo, a place deeply connected to both of them, through the gathered wishes of the people who sought to honor them. The forest surrounding Meiji Jingu is not a natural forest but a man-made 'Eternal Forest.' It was created by planting about 100,000 trees donated from all over the country at the time of its founding, and over more than 100 years, it has become a dense ecosystem right in the middle of the city. Along the approach path from the entrance to the main hall, visitors can see the massive wooden torii gate and sake barrel (sakadaru) decorations dedicated by breweries from across the country, allowing them to experience traditional Japanese shrine culture throughout the walk. Within the shrine grounds, besides the main hall area, there is a museum displaying relics of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, as well as the Inner Garden (Gyoen) famous for its irises, offering different charms depending on the season. Due to its location as a vast forest in Shibuya Ward, it is directly connected to Yoyogi Park, so many travelers naturally continue with a walk in the park after visiting the shrine.
Visiting Tips
Meiji Jingu is open year-round, and its opening hours change monthly according to sunrise and sunset times. For the most accurate details on the exact opening hours for your visit date and fees for the Inner Garden and museum, it is best to check the latest date-specific information on the official website (meijijingu.or.jp). There is a south entrance accessible on foot from Harajuku Station and a north entrance near Yoyogi Station; it takes more than 10 minutes to walk along the forest path to the main hall. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time for your visit. The large torii gate and sake barrel decoration area at the start of the approach path are also well known as a photo spot, so it's a great place to take your time and capture some memorable photos.
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1Accessible on foot from Harajuku Station, though it takes more than 10 minutes to walk along the forest path to the main hall. Opening hours vary by month, so please check the official website before your visit.
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