Meiji Shrine is a peaceful Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Located near the bustling district of Harajuku, the shrine is surrounded by a large forest with over 100,000 trees, providing a tranquil escape from the city. Visitors enter through a massive torii gate and walk along a wide, tree-lined path to reach the main shrine complex.
The shrine is a popular site for traditional Japanese weddings and offers visitors the opportunity to participate in Shinto practices like writing wishes on wooden plaques or making offerings at the shrine. It’s also a great place to visit during New Year’s, when it becomes the busiest shrine in Japan for hatsumode (first prayers of the year).