Meiji Shrine - Tokyo, Japan
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denben
N 35° 40.553 E 139° 41.964
54S E 382298 N 3948778
Located in the heart of Tokyo in a wooded area of over 100,000 trees, Meiji Shrine is one of Japan’s most famous shrines and is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Waymark Code: WM178Q1
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Date Posted: 01/03/2023
Views: 2
The construction of Meiji Shrine began in 1915 under Ito Chuta, and the shrine was built in the traditional nagare-zukuri style, using primarily Japanese cypress and copper. The building of the shrine was a national project, mobilizing youth groups and other civic associations from throughout Japan, who contributed labor and funding. It was formally dedicated in 1920, completed in 1921, and its grounds officially finished by 1926. Until 1946, the Meiji Shrine was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha, meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.
The original building was destroyed during the Tokyo air raids of World War II. The present iteration of the shrine was funded through a public fund raising effort and completed in October 1958.
Meiji Shrine has been visited by numerous foreign politicians, including United States President George W. Bush, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
On the eve of new year, Japanese usually visit a shinto shrine to prepare for the worship - Hatsumode of the new year. Meiji Shrine is the most popular location in Tokyo by Hatsumode.
Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 70 hectares (170 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. The forest is visited by many as a recreation and relaxation area in the center of Tokyo. The entrance to the shrine complex leads through the Jingu Bashi bridge.
Source: Wikipedia (
visit link)
Visit Instructions:Include in your log one or two complete sentences. Logs containing a few words like "visited it" are subject to deletion.
Photos of the shrine are strongly encouraged when permitted otherwise please refrain from taking pictures inside and in any case, generally have respect for the religious nature of the site.