Japanese Insight
Located right in the center of Tokyo's bustling Shibuya district—just steps away from the high-energy fashion avenues of Harajuku—Meiji Jingu is an oasis of profound serenity and one of Japan’s most spiritually significant Shinto shrines. Dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji (the first emperor of modern Japan) and his consort, Empress Shoken, the shrine serves as a living monument to a pivotal turning point in Japanese history.
The Historical Background: Emperor Meiji ascended the throne in 1867 at the age of 14, marking the collapse of the feudal Tokugawa Shogunate and the birth of the Meiji Restoration. Under his reign (1868–1912), Japan rapidly shifted from an isolated, feudal state into a westernized, technologically advanced global superpower. Following the passing of the Emperor in 1912 and the Empress in 1914, the public yearned for a place to commemorate their virtues. This led to the formal establishment and dedication of Meiji Jingu in 1920.
The Living Man-Made Forest: Walking through the grand cedar torii gates leads you into a massive, dense forest spanning roughly 170 acres. Far from a natural forest, this pristine woodland was masterfully engineered during construction using approximately 100,000 trees donated from communities all across Japan. It was meticulously planned to become a self-sustaining ecosystem that would thrive for centuries in the heart of the metropolis, acting as a dramatic, high-satisfaction visual escape for urban travelers.
🍶 Why are the Stacks of Sake Barrels Donated?
As you walk along the main gravel forest approach you will encounter one of the shrine's most famous and highly photographed visual landmarks: an immense, towering wall of colorful, straw-covered sake barrels known as Kazaridaru (decorative barrels).
The existence of these barrels stems from deep Shinto rituals and historical gratitude:
The Spiritual Bond (Omiki): In Shinto tradition, sake has always been regarded as a sacred medium to bridge the gap between humanity and the deities. When sake is offered to the gods for rituals, purification, and festivals, it is referred to as Omiki. Drinking it during shrine festivals is believed to bring worshippers closer to the divine spirits.
🍷 The Cosmopolitan Twist: Directly opposite the wall of sake stands an equally impressive row of French Burgundy wine barrels. Emperor Meiji was famous for his love of Western cuisine and French wine as part of his embrace of global culture. In 2006, prominent wineries from France’s Bourgogne region began donating these wine barrels to the shrine in his memory, perfectly encapsulating the harmonious blend of Eastern tradition and Western influence that defined the Meiji Era.
Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset (Hours change monthly depending on daylight; generally 5:00 AM – 6:00 PM in summer, 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM in winter).
