The densely wooded area of the Meiji Jingu extends over much of the area separating Shinjuku and Shibuya. Between the trees, there is a promenade that leads to the shrine in the middle. As you walk down this path, you will soon forget that you are between two of the liveliest areas of Tokyo.
The Meiji Jingu not only offers one of the most beautiful walks in the city, but is also a sanctuary for followers of the Japanese Shinto religion. During the New Year holidays, around three million people visit the central sacrificial hall to attend the New Year's first shrine visit, a custom called Hatsumode. At the weekend, you may also see a wedding procession, with the bride wearing an immaculate white hooded kimono and her groom dressed in traditional black robes.
Meiji Jingu honors Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who ruled Japan when the country underwent a phase of rapid modernization from the second half of the 19th century. Originally built in 1920, firebombing during the Second World War destroyed the shrine. The site and shrine were rebuilt in 1958, with some 170,000 trees donated from all over Japan. Currently, Meiji Jingu consists of the main hall, a treasure museum and the inner gardens.