Travel Japan – Harajuku + Meiji Jingu

May 28, 2016

Decoration sake barrels at Meiji Jingu.
Kazaridaru.
After spending most the morning exploring the vicinity around Tokyo Station and Imperial East Garden, the afternoon was dedicated to visiting one of Tokyo's most popular area and shrine – Harajuku and Meiji Jingu.

Harajuku + Meiji Jingu 

Harajuku, an area that is famous for its youth culture, fashion and shopping. Not surprisingly it was filled with people as soon as I stepped out of the station, unlike the CBD around Tokyo Station, Harajuku definitely has a more trendy, edgy vibe with international retailers and boutique cafés lining the streets, not to mention the streets themselves were filled with a great mix of people from tourists to students. 

 If you have some spare time, the backstreets of Harajuku such as Takeshita Dori is a great place to immerse yourself in Japanese youth fashion. For the architecture enthusiast, the area around Harajuku has the Yoyogi Stadium and Omotesando Hills designed by Tadao Ando.
Harajuku Station.
Outside Harajuku Station.
If you're searching for a bit of tranquillity, right next to the hustle and bustle of Harajuku Station is the Shinto shrine Meiji Jingu, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The forest surrounding the shrine is made up of 100,000 trees donated for the establishment of the shrine and the tranquil setting is a sharp contrast to the trendy, shopping district of the surrounding area.
Meiji Jingu.
Meiji Jingu.
From the giant Torii gate, it is a decent 15mins walk til you reach the main shrine. Along the way, there are displays of shrine offerings in the form of decorative sake barrels or 'Kazaridaru' and also barrels of wine to be consecrated at the shrine from Bourgogne, France. In the courtyard of the main shrine are three sacred trees, one of which is surrounded by 'ema' or small wooden plaques on which you write your wishes/prayers. Directly opposite are the remaining two trees with a connecting hemp rope, couples offer their prayers in return for a blessed relationship. 
Torii gate at Meiji Jingu.
Torii gate.

Prayer/wishes written on wooden plaques at Meiji Jingu.
Prayer boards.
Sacred trees with connecting hemp rope.
Sacred trees outside main shrine.
The shrine is popular with both locals and tourists, but the atmosphere is still one of tranquillity and reflection, coupled with its forest setting, Meiji Jingu is definitely a gem hidden amongst Tokyo's hustle and bustle. With Harajuku right outside the Torii gates, you can have the best of both worlds!

 What are some of your favourite shrines in Tokyo? More posts on my recent adventures in Japan to come, make sure you subscribe so you won't miss out.
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