πŸ˜‚ The Meiji Shrine: A walk to Remember πŸ˜‰

in travel β€’Β  7 years agoΒ 

Earlier, we headed to one of the most famous and most visited shrines in all of Japan.

Up27265090_1567604339943935_1653997676_o.jpg

A few minutes walk from Hanajuku station is the famous Meiji Shrine and its forested grounds.

Up27265935_1567604396610596_700799019_o.jpg

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 (ζ˜Žζ²»ε€©ηš‡ Meiji-tennō, November 3, 1852 – July 30, 1912), or Meiji the Great (明治倧帝Meiji-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 he’s 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.

map.png

Back to the Meiji Shrine

27265779_1567604336610602_599551353_oE.jpg

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.

Up27329415_1567604363277266_1991781819_o.jpg
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 β€œhand” and mizu β€œwater” - 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 - chōzuya or temizuya - usually a stone basin filled with clear water, with wooden ladles. Source

27329577_1567604403277262_900588061_oE.jpg

The shrine’s 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, you’ll find the famous Takeshadori shopping street as well as the elegant Omotesando Avenue which provides many shopping options as you approach the Meiji Shrine..

27393610_1567604279943941_2145869797_o.jpg

Up27267918_1567604549943914_677375811_oE.jpg

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:

27335784_1567604553277247_636537282_o.jpg

Up27265774_1567604513277251_587047508_oE.jpg

Although being a Christian, we don’t do most of the rituals I have described, we enjoyed sightseeing and obviously, taking photos. For couples like us, it’s an amazing time together!

Up27266011_1567604519943917_1838088374_o.jpg

If you’re lucky you may even witness a traditional Japanese wedding procession. But the grounds aren’t limited to just this shrine complex. If you’re looking for a nice walk in the middle Tokyo, the magical forested park is right for you.

27267904_1567604136610622_259733042_o.jpg

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. It’s such an incredibly relaxing site!

27267372_1567604209943948_1469090690_o.jpg

The Sake Barrels and Wine Barrels

Up27265788_1567604176610618_583645880_o.jpg

The Sake is donated from all over Japan and the wine is donated from France. It’s donated every year to the shrine deities of the emperors.

Up27329788_1567604133277289_1063317714_o.jpg

The walk up there is incredibly relaxing. The fact that it’s 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.

Up27265639_1567604213277281_1406659646_o.jpg

Hopefully, now you feel a little more informed about Meiji Shrine and what its like to visit.

27267083_1567604173277285_551553873_o.jpg

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.

27266954_1567604586610577_1834204294_o.jpg

Until next time.

Please upvote, resteem and follow me, thank you.

67 Reputation.png

received_1551400858230950.jpeg

2500 Followers.png

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order: Β 

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

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

brad paano make-claim ang income natin sa dtube, steemit at busy.org or steemconnect ?

Looks and sounds like an amazing place!:)
Great work:)

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

great pictures and nice story :)
Tokyo looks so interesting !!

Wonderful picture really done my friend
You work wonderfully

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ Reveal Comment

Thanks. Go ahead buddy! The Philippines is a beautiful country. I miss it already.

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ Reveal Comment
Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

Fantastic article @hiroyamagishi. I visited here last year and it was a great experience. Thanks for bringing back my memories :)

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

I learned a lot from your post. Is radiation talked about at all or is the clean up complete?
Great post. Joy

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

Would be cool to visit.

wow awesome pictures I follow and Resteem

Thank you.

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

Are you half Japanese @hiroyamagishi?

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

This would be so exotic and interesting for me a guy from Finland! :)

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.....♣♣♣♣…

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

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

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

It is a place I want to go. Nice picture

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ (edited)

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

Β  Β· Β 7 years agoΒ 

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.