Meiji Jingu Shrine

Harajuku Station

One of my fondest memories of growing up in Japan was our visits to Meiji Jingu Shrine at Yoyogi (closest JR station is Harajuku for the main entrance to the shrine). We would visit the gardens when the irises bloomed in June. We would also walk alongside thousands of Japanese on New Year’s Eve, close to midnight or New Years to make our wishes at the shrine. Many colorful booths would line Omotesando during the New Years festivities selling delicious Japanese snacks and food. It’s a beautiful tradition.

As far as I can tell, not much has changed since my childhood at Meiji Jingu, except for the numerous new subways and stations that have sprouted around Harajuku. It seems more complicated to get around in some ways but I take the tried and true ‘old’ way via Yamanote line and get off at Harajuku station. The morning of our visit was full of nonstop action at Meiji Jingu. We see a Japanese wedding, in fact a couple of weddings, at the shrine. The brides, befitting a wedding at a shrine are dressed in traditional white kimonos, walking slowly behind the priests from the shrine. Lucky us!

We also see tea sweets being made near the shrine. The girls enjoy throwing money into the large wooden offering box and wishing for who knows what…actually I think I know, a pet hamster.

My husband and I make another visit to Meiji Jingu, this time without the kids. We wanted to have a quiet time viewing the irises (shobu) which were still in bloom in the gardens (there is a small admission fee). We reach Meiji Jingu this time on foot from Shibuya via Aoyama to Omotesando. It is actually a very pleasant walk, a nostalgic one for me.

Unlike Asakusa Kannon Temple and its surroundings which is usually bustling with activity (see my post on Asakusa under June 2010) there is a sense of calm entering Meiji Jingu. Usually the only noise you hear are the cries of the crows and the gravel underneath your shoes.


http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/