700,000 m² of Forest in the City Center

The grove surrounding Meiji Jingu's main shrine was planted with around 100,000 trees donated from across Japan when the shrine was founded in 1920. More than a century later, the trees have matured into a near-natural forest, creating a pocket of deep woodland silence in the heart of a city of 14 million.

Japan's Most Visited Shrine at New Year

An estimated 3 million people visit Meiji Jingu during the first three days of January alone — more than any other shrine in Japan. Throughout the year, the grounds see ceremonies marking coming-of-age, Shichi-Go-San (children's blessings), and traditional weddings, keeping the shrine at the living center of Japanese ritual life.

Sake Barrels and Burgundy Wine Barrels Side by Side

Stacked along the approach path are 365 sake barrels (komo-daru) donated by breweries from around Japan, and beside them a row of Burgundy wine barrels offered as a symbol of cultural friendship between Japan and France — an unusual pairing that surprises most first-time visitors.

Enshrining Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken

Meiji Jingu is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken (Empress Consort), who presided over Japan's transformation into a modern nation-state during the Meiji era (1868–1912). Established in 1920 (Taisho 9), it is the most prestigious shrine in central Tokyo.