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Meiji Jingu, Tokyo

Main hall of Meiji Jingu shrine with its wide cypress-bark roof, seen across the stone courtyard between tall trees
Photo: Tokuzo in Edomura, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free, every day
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Hours
Sunrise to sunset; November 6:10–16:10
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
1 h
With kids
Fine with kids
Some facilities
Usually 9:00–16:00
officialConfirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Forest
≈ 70 ha, about 120,000 trees
Inner Garden
Gyoen with its irises — paid
From Harajuku station
≈ 10 minutes on foot along the avenue to the main hall
Coordinates
35.67611, 139.69917YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1920the year the shrine was founded
Sourcemeijijingu.or.jp
70 haof forest in the middle of the megacity
Sourcemeijijingu.or.jp
≈ 120,000trees of 365 species, donated from all over Japan
Sourceen.wikipedia
Meiji and Shokenthe emperor and empress the shrine is dedicated to
Sourcemeijijingu.or.jp
Cypress and copperthe main materials of the nagare-zukuri hall
Sourceen.wikipedia
Irisesthe Gyoen inner garden is famous for its June iris field
Sourceen.wikipedia
Sunrise–sunsetopening hours change every month
Sourcemeijijingu.or.jp
¥0to enter the shrine
Sourcemeijijingu.or.jp

What is Meiji Jingu?

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, under whom Japan became a modern nation. It was founded in 1920 in Shibuya, next to Harajuku.

The shrine is surrounded by a dense 70-hectare forest: about 120,000 trees of 365 species, donated by people from all over Japan. Step through the gates and the city noise fades. Wide gravel avenues under giant wooden torii lead to the main hall of Japanese cypress and copper.

How the shrine works

From Harajuku station it's about 10 minutes along a forest avenue to the main hall. On the way you pass a wall of sake barrels donated by breweries across Japan, and barrels of French wine. In front of the hall is a broad stone courtyard where you'll often see a traditional Shinto wedding.

Entry is free. According to the official site, the shrine is open every day from sunrise to sunset, with hours changing each month: in November 6:10 to 16:10, in December 6:40 to 16:00, and in summer 5:00 to 18:00 or later. Some facilities inside usually keep 9:00–16:00. The paid Gyoen inner garden is famous for its iris field in June.

What to see

  • Giant wooden torii along the avenues.
  • Sake barrels and French wine barrels by the path.
  • The main hall of cypress with a copper roof.
  • The stone courtyard — sometimes with a wedding procession.
  • The Gyoen inner garden with its iris field.
  • The forest — 120,000 trees in the middle of the city.

How to get to Meiji Jingu

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On foot

More tips

  1. JR Harajuku station (Yamanote line) — the forest entrance is right by the station, about 10 minutes to the main hall.
  2. Meiji-jingumae metro station (Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines) — 1–2 minutes to the entrance.
  3. Yoyogi station (JR and Oedo line) — the north entrance, about 10 minutes.
  4. From Takeshita Street — across the road from the Takeshita exit.
  5. From Shinjuku — one stop by JR to Yoyogi or two to Harajuku.

Morning or midday

Morningyou are hereFewCool and quietLess oftenFrom sunrise
MiddayBusy, especially at weekendsCrowded avenuesMore often at weekendsUntil sunset — check the month

How long do you need?

Allow 1 hour for the shrine, about 1.5 hours with the inner garden. Come in the morning when the forest is cool and quiet, then head out to Takeshita Street and Omotesando.

Big Yoyogi Park is next door. The shrine's busiest time is the first days of the New Year, when millions come for 'hatsumode', the year's first prayer.

Is Meiji Jingu worth visiting?

Yes: it's Tokyo's best-known Shinto shrine and a rare forest in the middle of a megacity, and entry is free.

The YesGo take: the hall itself is plainer than many expect — the value is in the forest, the quiet and the atmosphere. Come in the morning, remember it closes around 16:00 in winter, and don't plan an evening visit.

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Tokyo temples: compare and choose

Temples and shrines in Tokyo rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Senso-ji511 hFree9.8 km
Meiji Jinguyou are here501 hfree; Gyoen garden paid—
Zojo-ji4240 minFree4.9 km
Nezu Shrine3930 minFree7.4 km
Yanaka361 h 30 minFree8.2 km
Gotoku-ji3245 minFree5.6 km
Mount Takao214 hFree41.5 km

Harajuku and Shibuya in a day

Meiji Jingu in the morning, Takeshita Street in the afternoon, and Shibuya Crossing in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Meiji Jinguyou are here1 h · free; Gyoen garden paid
  2. 13 min walk from the previous stopTakeshita Street45 min · free
  3. 24 min walk from the previous stopShibuya Crossing30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400

3 places · about 2 h 52 min with walks · 37 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Takeshita Street

Tokyo, Japan

45 min · free · 13 min walk

Shinjuku Gyoen

Tokyo, Japan

1 h 30 min · ¥500; under 15 free · 28 min walk

Shibuya Crossing

Tokyo, Japan

30 min · free; Shibuya Sky ≈ ¥2,700–3,400 · 32 min walk

How to do it right

  • Walk through torii at the side, not the centre.
  • In winter it closes around 16:00.
  • The forest is cool and quiet in the morning.
  • The sake barrels are on the way to the hall.
  • Across the road: Takeshita Street.

Questions

How much does Meiji Jingu cost?

Entry is free; only the Gyoen inner garden charges.

What are the opening hours?

Daily from sunrise to sunset; November 6:10–16:10, December 6:40–16:00.

Who is the shrine dedicated to?

Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

How do I get there?

From JR Harajuku station it's about 10 minutes on foot along the forest avenue to the hall.

How do you pray?

A coin, two bows, two claps and one more bow.

Can you see a wedding?

Often — in the stone courtyard before the hall, especially at weekends.

How long do you need?

About an hour, or 1.5 hours with the Gyoen garden.

What's nearby?

Takeshita Street, Omotesando and Yoyogi Park.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Meiji Jingu official site (meijijingu.or.jp) — monthly hours, free entry, 70 ha, 1920 (checked 09.11.2026)
  • English Wikipedia: Meiji Shrine — trees, style, materials, iris garden
  • Travel guides — sake barrels, weddings, etiquette, journey times (unofficial)
  • Wikidata Q287165 — coordinates
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 09.11.2026 ·
How we checkedMonthly opening hours, free entry, the forest area and founding year are from the shrine's official site. The number of trees, architectural style, materials and iris garden are from Wikipedia. We couldn't find the Gyoen garden fee, so we say 'paid'. Sake barrels, weddings and etiquette are from guides. We don't cover the neighbouring Jingu Gaien area.

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