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Last update: 21 Oct 2026
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Meiji Jingu Shrine Summary
| Public website: | www.meijijingu.or.jp |
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Japan – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A
Type A:
 Read about power adapters |
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| Currency: |
Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections. |
| New Year (January) |
One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead. |
|---|---|
| Golden Week (April-May) |
The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport. |
| Obon (August) |
A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded. |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi |
| Other: | Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Meiji Jingu Shrine, Japan
Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) January 1 to 3: among Japan's most visited, with very long queues and entry restrictions
Shichi-go-san (children's blessing) peaks in mid November: many families in kimono, busiest at weekends
Don't miss
- 👘 Make a wish at the iconic Tori Gate and soak in the tranquil atmosphere
- 📝 Participate in traditional Shinto rituals, like writing wishes on ema
- 🌸 Stroll through the serene forest paths, especially during cherry blossom season
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Meiji Jingu is the shrine of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, founded in 1920 to honour the emperor who opened Japan to the modern world. Its most striking feature is the setting. A forest of about 100,000 trees covers around 0.7 km², donated by people from across Japan. It shuts out the noise of Harajuku and Shinjuku almost completely.
The visit starts at a large wooden torii gate, one of the biggest of its kind in Japan. From there a wide gravel path goes through the trees to the main hall, with more torii gates along the way. About halfway up, two displays face each other. One holds straw-wrapped sake barrels donated by breweries and the other holds Burgundy wine barrels with French labels. Visitors who arrive at the main hall can make a short prayer with a coin, two bows, two claps and a final bow.
The shrine also has quieter parts. The Inner Garden has a pond and a marsh where irises bloom in June. Entry costs JP¥500 (£2.38). A museum on the grounds displays items linked to the emperor and empress. Weddings are held at the shrine, so visitors sometimes see traditional wedding processions crossing the courtyard.
Plan on about one hour for the shrine alone, around two with the garden and museum. Entry to the shrine itself is free and the grounds open from sunrise to sunset. The busiest time is the first days of January, when millions of visitors come for the New Year prayers. Weekday mornings are much calmer than weekends.
Knowledge before you go
- Bow once at each torii gate and walk along the path's sides.
- Winter days end early, so arrive by mid-afternoon to see the grounds before sunset closing.
- Bring cash for the Inner Garden entry, goshuin stamps and omikuji fortunes at the shrine.
- Two camphor trees near the main hall are called the married couple trees, so couples visit for blessings.
How to travel to Meiji Jingu Shrine
Trains are the easiest way to reach the shrine, which has several entrances. The south gate is about a minute on foot from JR Harajuku Station on the Yamanote Line. Meijijingumae Station, on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin underground lines, is beside the same gate. The north entrance is a short walk from Yoyogi Station and Shinjuku Station is also within walking distance. From Shinjuku Station the Yamanote Line reaches Harajuku in about 5 minutes. Tokyo Station takes around 25 minutes by train. Haneda Airport (HND) is roughly 40 minutes away by train and Narita Airport (NRT) around an hour and a half. Driving isn't practical since the shrine has no visitor parking, but taxis can drop you at the main gate.
Access summary
- From Haneda Airport (HND): Train via Hamamatsucho to Harajuku, about 45–60 minutes.
- From central Tokyo/Shinjuku: JR Yamanote Line or underground to Harajuku, 10–20 minutes.
- From Narita Airport (NRT): Keisei/JR trains or limousine bus, roughly 60–90 minutes.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay near Meiji Jingu Shrine
Most visitors stay in nearby Shibuya, Shinjuku or Harajuku itself, since the shrine is between them. Shibuya has a wide range from budget hostels to larger business hotels. Shinjuku has even more, with direct rail access to both airports. Harajuku and Omotesando have a smaller number of boutique hotels. A stay in this part of Tokyo lets you visit the shrine early before the crowds arrive. It also puts you close to the Yamanote Line and several underground lines for the rest of the city. Rooms fill up around the New Year holiday, when millions of visitors come to pray and during cherry blossom season in late March and early April. Book early at those times.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Food around Meiji Jingu Shrine
Food near the shrine is easy to find and varied. Harajuku's Takeshita Street sells crepes and other snacks while Omotesando has cafes and bakeries. Shibuya and Shinjuku have restaurants of every kind within a short train ride.
Food and drink are limited to designated areas inside the grounds, so eat before you go in or afterwards. Around New Year, stalls on the approach sell street food such as yakisoba, takoyaki and amazake.
Vegetarians will find many options in this area, though fish stock is common in Japanese dishes. Convenience stores near the stations sell onigiri and sandwiches if you want something quick before the walk.
Packing recommendations for Meiji Jingu Shrine
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🧥
Waterproof jacket
👛
Cash in small denominations
🧕
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees
🔋
Power bank
🩴
Slip-on shoes
🧦
Warm socks
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
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Daily expenses in the region are around 36% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.
Safety information overview
General safety
Meiji Jingu is very safe, with low crime and calm paths in daylight. Crowds around the New Year are heavy, so keep valuables close and follow staff directions. The forest can feel dark and quiet in the evening, so visit during opening hours.
Accessibility
The main approach is a wide gravel path that's long but mostly flat, which can be hard for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The walk from the south gate to the main hall takes about 15 minutes, so plan for rests along the way.
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