The Meiji Shrine in Shibuya, Tokyo

Traveling can be so exciting. Sometimes questions come to mind that you never thought of before. In Tokyo I made my way to the Meiji Shrine, and that’s where it all started. The Meiji Shrine is one of the most popular sights in Tokyo and is located in Yoyogi Park.

During the cherry blossom season, this park is one of the most important destinations for cherry blossom tourists. Everything is bathed in pink blossoms and Japanese and tourists alike go crazy over so much nature. I was hoping to catch a bit of the cherry blossom hype as well, but unfortunately the strong winds the night before had swept away pretty much all the remnants of the dwindling cherry blossoms.

Religions in Japan: What is Shinto?

Welcome to my travel blog

Hey, I’m Tatiana and I’m the blogger behind The Happy Jetlagger. Since 2014, I’ve been sharing my personal travel stories on this blog. I don’t have a big team behind me, so I’m pretty much a one-person show: I’ve researched and tested all recommendations myself.

Anyway, off to the shrine. Unprepared as I was once again, I knew about it: Nothing. Shrine? Must be something religious. But how is it with religions in Japan? I rarely felt stupid because I had absolutely no idea. The Japanese weren’t Christian, and for me, as a culture vulture, everything that went in the direction of Asia was always Buddha and stuff like that. But it didn’t look like Buddhism here.

A look at Wikipedia, travel guides and a few signs later, I knew that the Meiji Shrine is so named because it is dedicated to one of the last emperors, Emperor Meiji, and his wife. And: Nothing to do with Buddhism, Shinto is at home here. Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion and cultural philosophy – and to be honest, even after visiting and reading about it for a long time, it was still too complex for me to really understand what it was all about.

➜ You can find more travel reports from Japan here on the blog!

Shinto at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

But you don’t have to understand everything on the way – enjoying and marveling at the new impressions is more than enough for me. For example, when entering the shrine area, worshippers have to complete a specific hand-washing ritual, as usual, Japanese-style and according to a very specific sequence.

Also the prayer is very special. You stand in line. Pray. Then toss a coin. Clap your hands firmly twice. Pray. And that’s it. It’s fascinating how accurate Japanese are!

If you like, you can hang wooden boards with your personal wishes on a tree – it costs a little, but is a nice reminder. And some of the other boards are simply touching.

Getting married at a Shinto shrine

For an emotional memory on top, there were several original Shinto weddings that took place on site – and brides as well as wedding guests looked so beautiful, I would have loved to throw myself into a kimono right there and then.

Meiji Jing Gyoen – the Japanese garden

If you are coming to Meiji Shrine from Harajuku, you should definitely visit Meiji Jing Gyoen, a separate garden in the middle of the park. The entrance fee is 500 yen, but you can enjoy truly spectacular tranquillity. It’s hard to believe that you’re in the middle of a huge city.

The sake barrels at the Meiji Shrine

Also near the entrance to the garden is a huge wall of sake barrels – all donations that are supposed to bring good luck. And a great photo opportunity for all visitors!