Earlier, we headed to one of the most famous and most visited shrines in all of Japan.
A few minutes walk from Hanajuku station is the famous Meiji Shrine and its forested grounds.
Introduction
Completed in 1920, the shrine itself is dedicated to the late Emperor Meiji and his consort emperor Shoken ruling from 1867 to 1912, Meiji was the first Emperor of modern Japan.
If you haven't heard of these before, let me introduce Emperor Meiji further.
If there was an all-star team of historical Japanese leaders, Emperor Meiji would probably be in the starting line up.
Emperor Meiji (ๆๆฒปๅคฉ็ Meiji-tennล, November 3, 1852 โ July 30, 1912), or Meiji the Great (ๆๆฒปๅคงๅธMeiji-taitei), was the 122nd Emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession, reigning from February 3, 1867 until his death on July 30, 1912. He presided over a time of rapid change in the Empire of Japan, as the nation quickly changed from an isolationist feudal state to a capitalist and imperial world power, characterized by the Japanese industrial revolution. Source
Japan, as a feudal nation was primarily focused on agriculture in his time and when his rule ended in 1912, Japan got rid of feudalism and became a modernized industrial world power. So, you could say heโs a pretty important guy.
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and with the population of nearly 40 million, also the largest metropolis on earth. In the middle of the greater Tokyo area is Tokyo prefecture itself. The multiple downtown areas are all connected by the main subway line from Tokyo station to several other major cities. Despite its size or possibly because of it, Tokyo has developed into an extremely orderly city with a convenient and reliable public transportation system as well as a remarkably low crime rate. Although it has a high population density, it can feel surprisingly suburban or even a countryside once you venture away from the major railway station. Today, Tokyo is one of Japan's premier hub for culture, cuisine, entertainment and shopping. It also has countless stores, temples, gardens, parks landmarks and museums.
Back to the Meiji Shrine
Among the most impressive things about this place are the massive Torii gates that lead all the way up to the shrine itself. You really need to see them in person just to gauge how incredible they are.
Before making our way to the main shrine, we stopped at this pavilion to take photos.
When entering inside a Shinto shrine, the visitor should perform a symbolic cleansing called temizu (from te โhandโ and mizu โwaterโ - water to purify the hands). This purification is considered indispensable before visiting the sacred area and it signifies the removal of evil and pollution. For the ritual, every shrine provides an ablution pavilion - chลzuya or temizuya - usually a stone basin filled with clear water, with wooden ladles. Source
The shrineโs grounds are a peaceful oasis in the densely populated city together with neighboring Yoyogi park, this forested area of Tokyo provides an excellent place to escape the busy city. Near Meiji Shrine are several other worthwhile areas to explore. Just across the street is Harajuku which is known as the center of teenage culture in Japan. Here, youโll find the famous Takeshadori shopping street as well as the elegant Omotesando Avenue which provides many shopping options as you approach the Meiji Shrine..
At the main shrine complex, one can do most of the typical Japan Shriney things like buying charms and writing prayers on tags that you can hang right here:
Although being a Christian, we donโt do most of the rituals I have described, we enjoyed sightseeing and obviously, taking photos. For couples like us, itโs an amazing time together!
If youโre lucky you may even witness a traditional Japanese wedding procession. But the grounds arenโt limited to just this shrine complex. If youโre looking for a nice walk in the middle Tokyo, the magical forested park is right for you.
In June is perhaps the best time for us to come back here when the Iris Garden in full bloom. This actually consists of over 100,000 trees. Itโs such an incredibly relaxing site!
The Sake Barrels and Wine Barrels
The Sake is donated from all over Japan and the wine is donated from France. Itโs donated every year to the shrine deities of the emperors.
The walk up there is incredibly relaxing. The fact that itโs in the middle of Tokyo is unbelievable! Although the actual shrine is still under construction you'll never run out of good views and interesting stops so, as far as I'm concerned, it's well worth the visit.
Hopefully, now you feel a little more informed about Meiji Shrine and what its like to visit.
Like I said above, this is one of my top spots to take a walk in Tokyo and I would like to know your favorite places to take a walk in Japan as well. So let me know in the comments.
Until next time.
Please upvote, resteem and follow me, thank you.
Looks and sounds like an amazing place!
A country full of culture and history - it's on my bucket list to travel there at least once.
Indeed! You won't regret it. I hope you push through with that.
very nice pictures
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Looks and sounds like an amazing place!:)
Great work:)
These are nice pictures. I really wish I could travel so much too...
Thanks! I don't travel much either but I think I should.
wow awesome pictures I follow and Resteem
Thank you.
great pictures and nice story :)
Tokyo looks so interesting !!
This would be so exotic and interesting for me a guy from Finland! :)
Wonderful picture really done my friend
You work wonderfully
Fantastic article @hiroyamagishi. I visited here last year and it was a great experience. Thanks for bringing back my memories :)
I learned a lot from your post. Is radiation talked about at all or is the clean up complete?
Great post. Joy
Would be cool to visit.
Are you half Japanese @hiroyamagishi?
Wow, to find a beautiful natural looking shrine like this in the heart of huge Tokyo.. would never have guessed.
If i ever travel to Japan, and Tokyo, I will be sure to visit this lovely location. I enjoy the power of history and the feel it gives you when there.
Great post, lots of awesome photos, great documentation! Thanks for the tour.
dear friend your post is wondarful.. & very nice pictur...... i like it.... thank you so very much... & dear @hiroyamagishi i resteem your post.....โฃโฃโฃโฃโฆ
This post has received a 26.11 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @hiroyamagishi.
Oh how I wish I could to Japan one day, I've been so fond of Japanese culture since I was a kid, from ninjas, to samurais, and the food as well. And now I am working at a Japanese company, under a Japanese manager as my immediate superior, somewhat one step closer to the Japanese feel. Lol...
I cannot wait to go to Japan! Besides eating my way through it, to experience the history and culture. Thank you for sharing your time there!
Nicee
It is a place I want to go. Nice picture
Glad to have stumbled upon you having followed the Steemit breadcrumb trail!
I love the informative nature of your post and was blown away by the population of Tokyo ~ 40 million? Or was this for the whole of Japan?
The shrine looks divine!
Would so love to visit Japan one day.
Upvoted/Followed I invite you to pass by mine if you have time.
Happy days.
xox
Thanks. Go ahead buddy! The Philippines is a beautiful country. I miss it already.