Meiji Jingū
明治神宮 · Yoyogi-Kamizonochō
Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:31
Welcome to Meiji Jingū, one of Japan's most sacred and significant Shinto shrines. Located in the heart of Tokyo's Shibuya district, adjacent to the bustling Harajuku station, this shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of…
Listen in the app2The Grand Torii Gates — Portals to the Sacred1:18
The entrance to the shrine is marked by massive Torii gates, which symbolize the transition from the mundane world into the sacred grounds of the 'Kami' or spirits. The largest of these is the Great Torii at the entrance of the…
Listen in the app3The Sando and the 88-Degree Corner1:30
As we walk down the main forest path, known as the 'Sando,' notice that it is not perfectly straight. This is a deliberate design choice. …
Listen in the app4The Inner Garden and the Iris Field1:14
To your left, you will find the entrance to the Meiji Jingu Inner Garden (Gyoen). This area was a favorite retreat for Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken long before the shrine was built. …
Listen in the app5Kiyomasa's Well — The Sacred Power Spot1:18
At the northern end of the Inner Garden lies a site of intense spiritual focus: Kiyomasa's Well (Kiyomasa-no-ido). This natural spring is named after the famous 16th-century warlord Kato Kiyomasa, who is said to have dug it. …
Listen in the app6The Main Hall — Worship and Architecture1:23
We finally arrive at the main complex of the shrine, which consists of the Honden (Main Hall), the Nai-haiden (Inner Shrine Hall), and the Ge-haiden (Outer Shrine Hall). The buildings are constructed primarily from Japanese…
Listen in the app7Geomancy and the Lay Lines — Japan's Protector1:18
To conclude our tour, let us look at the shrine through the lens of ancient geomancy. Many scholars and theorists believe Meiji Jingū was not placed here by chance. …
Listen in the app8Closing1:09
As we walk back toward the forest entrance, I hope you carry with you the stillness of Meiji Jingū. We have seen how a man-made forest, through collective will and century-long patience, has become a true wilderness in the heart…
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What is Meiji Jingū?
Meiji Jingū is a place in Yoyogi-Kamizonochō with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Yoyogi-Kamizonochō |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 10 min 41 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.6761, 139.6992 |
| Last updated |
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