Meiji Shirine （明治神宮、 Meiji jinguū）
Meiji Shirine （明治神宮、 Meiji jinguū） is the largest and the most popular shrine in Tokyo and deifies the soul of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji is the first emperor as the top of a constitutional monarchy, so after his demise, Meiji Shirine was build for burying him reverently.
The nearest station is Harajyuku station (JR Yamanote-Line) and Meiji-jingūmae station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda-Line and Fukutoshin-Line), and you can go to the south (main) entrance from the stations within 1 minutes on foot. Also, Meiji Shirine has no holiday, but the opening and closing time differ depending on seasons.
Month |
Opening time | Closing time |
|---|---|---|
January | 6:40 |
16:20 |
February | 6:20 |
16:50 |
March | 5:40 |
17:20 |
April | 5:10 |
17:50 |
May | 5:00 |
18:10 |
June | 5:00 |
18:30 |
July | 5:00 |
18:20 |
August | 5:00 |
18:00 |
September | 5:20 |
17:20 |
October | 5:40 |
16:40 |
November | 6:10 |
16:10 |
Decemver | 6:40 |
16:00 |
*On 12/31, Meiji Shirine is open for 24 hours.
Meiji Shirine includes the main structure, two museums exhibiting belongings of Emperor Meiji, and a large park, "Yoyogi park". The main structure is located on the center of Meiji Shirine, and you can go to there by walking along the south entrance path for 10 minutes. On the way to the main structure, Treasure Museum Annex （宝物展示室、 Houbutsu-tenjishitsu） is located. This museum exhibits items related Emperor Meiji and open 365 days. (You need 500 yen to enter the museum.) The main museum, Treasure Museum （宝物殿、 Houmotsuden）, is open at the north area of Meiji Shirine. (It takes 10 minutes from the main structure to thsi mueum on foot.) Treasure Museum is builded by the mix of modern and traditional architectural method, and display more items than its annex, but this museum close on Monday regurally. (exceptions exsist) The entrance fee is 500 yen. (You can enter both museums by either one ticket.)
Also, If you make a plan to visit Meiji Shirine in 12/31-1/3, you will always get caught in the crowdedness because more than 3 million people visit there for hatsumoude (the first praying of the year).
Treasure Museum （宝物殿、 Houmotsuden） and Treasure Museum Annex （宝物展示室、 Houbutsu-tenjishitsu）