Meiji Jingu Etiquette: A Visitor's Guide to Tokyo's Forest Shrine

A few minutes from Harajuku Station, behind a 12-meter cypress torii, the city stops. Meiji Jingu is 70 hectares of dense, planted forest in the middle of Tokyo — and at its center, a shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken, who together oversaw Japan's transformation from a closed feudal society into a modern nation.

It is one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines. It is also, for most tourists, their first shrine experience in Tokyo. This guide explains how to approach it — the etiquette, the meaning, and the small things that separate a respectful visit from a clumsy one.

A Quick Orientation

Meiji Jingu was completed in 1920, eight years after Emperor Meiji's death. The forest around it was not natural — it was planted, tree by tree, by 100,000 volunteers who donated 100,000 trees from across Japan. The shrine you see today was rebuilt after WWII bombing damage and is one of the most-visited shrines in the country, drawing roughly three million people during the New Year's first three days alone.

The grounds have three main entrances: the south entrance from Harajuku Station (most common), the north from Yoyogi, and the west from Sangūbashi. The honden (main hall) sits in the center, about a 10-minute walk from the south torii.

Before You Enter

At the Torii

Meiji Jingu's main torii is one of the largest wooden torii in Japan, made from a 1,500-year-old hinoki cypress sourced from Taiwan. Pause before walking through. A small bow is the traditional gesture. As you walk, keep to the left or right side of the path — the center is reserved for the kami.

This is more strictly observed at Meiji Jingu than at many shrines, partly because the path is wide and the convention is visible. You will see locals automatically stepping aside as they enter.

Sake Barrels and Wine Casks

On the way to the honden, you'll pass a wall of decorated sake barrels (kazaridaru) on one side and French wine casks on the other. The sake is offered annually by Japanese brewers; the wine, by Burgundy producers, in honor of Emperor Meiji's interest in introducing Western culture during his reign.

These are religious offerings, not photo props. You can photograph them. Do not climb on them, lean on them, or sit on the platform.

Temizuya Purification

Before approaching the honden, stop at the temizuya (purification fountain) on the right side of the path. The procedure:

1. Right hand holds the ladle, rinse the left hand
2. Switch hands, rinse the right hand
3. Pour water into your cupped left hand, rinse your mouth (do not touch the ladle)
4. Spit discreetly to the side of the basin
5. Tilt the ladle vertically so water rinses the handle
6. Replace it face-down

For more detail on the prayer sequence after purification, see our full prayer guide.

How to Pray at the Honden

At the main offering hall, the standard sequence is two bows, two claps, one bow ("ni-rei, ni-hakushu, ichi-rei"):

1. Toss a coin gently into the offering box. 5 yen (go-en) is traditional — the word puns on "good fortune."
2. If a bell hangs above the offering box, ring it once with the rope.
3. Bow deeply twice (about 90 degrees).
4. Clap your hands twice. Hold the second clap for a moment and offer your prayer silently.
5. Bow deeply once more, then step back.

Move aside after praying. There will be a queue. Don't linger directly in front of the offering box.

The Inner Garden and Kiyomasa's Well

For ¥500 (separate from any app or pass), you can enter the Meiji Jingu Gyoen — the inner garden. It contains Kiyomasa's Well, a natural spring named after the samurai general Katō Kiyomasa, who is said to have dug it 400 years ago. The well became a viral spiritual destination after a celebrity claimed it brought her good luck.

The garden is genuinely beautiful, especially the iris field in June. The well is a quiet stone basin. Do not throw coins into it, do not touch the water, and do not push to the front for a photo if there's a line.

Common Mistakes Tourists Make at Meiji Jingu

1. Walking through the torii without acknowledging it. A small bow takes one second. Locals notice when foreigners do this — and they notice when you don't.

1. Walking down the center of the path. Use the sides. The middle is for the kami.

1. Loud groups and selfie sticks at the honden. This is the most sacred space at the shrine. Lower your voice. Don't film other people praying. Don't extend a selfie stick into the offering area.

1. Treating the sake/wine barrels as photo backdrops with poses. They are religious offerings. Stand near them, photograph them, but don't climb up or strike vacation poses on the platform.

1. Mixing up shrine and temple etiquette. Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine, not a Buddhist temple. You clap at a shrine. You do not clap at a temple. (See our temple vs shrine guide.)

1. Throwing coins at the well in Kiyomasa's well or wishing trees. Coins go in the offering box at the honden, not into the well or randomly placed.

1. Dressing inappropriately on formal-visit days. During Shichi-Go-San (November), shrine weddings, or hatsumōde, the shrine sees many formal visitors. Beachwear, very short shorts, or shirtless men are out of place.

1. Drone photography or commercial filming without permission. Drones are prohibited. Commercial photography requires shrine office approval.

Shrine Weddings — What to Do If You See One

Meiji Jingu hosts traditional Shinto weddings. The procession crosses the courtyard between the honden and the assembly hall, with the bride in white kimono (shiromuku) and a priest leading. If you see one:

• Do not step into the procession path
• Do not photograph faces from close range
• Do step aside and watch quietly if you wish
• Wide-angle photographs from a respectful distance are generally fine

Most couples expect to be photographed by tourists. They simply expect it not to be intrusive.

Best Time to Visit

The shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset (the exact times shift monthly — they are posted at the entrance). Early morning is the quietest and most atmospheric, especially on weekdays. Weekends after 11 AM can feel crowded near the honden.

Avoid the first three days of January unless you specifically want to experience hatsumōde — the New Year shrine visit, which draws millions and creates several-hour queues just to reach the offering box.

FAQ

Is there an entrance fee for Meiji Jingu? The main shrine grounds are free. The Inner Garden (Gyoen) is ¥500.

Can I take photos inside the honden? The exterior of the honden is fine to photograph. Do not photograph people praying close-up, and do not use flash.

What time does the shrine open? Hours vary by season — opening is around sunrise (typically 5–6 AM) and closing around sunset (typically 4–6 PM). Check posted times at the entrance.

Is it disrespectful to wear shorts? Casual clothing is fine. Avoid extremely revealing clothing or beachwear. Tank tops are acceptable in summer.

What's the difference between Meiji Jingu and the nearby Yoyogi Park? Yoyogi Park is a public park immediately adjacent — totally separate from the shrine. The shrine grounds end at a wall; Yoyogi Park is for picnics, dance practice, and street performance.

Can I get a goshuin (shrine seal)? Yes. The goshuin desk is near the honden. Purchase a goshuincho (seal book) for around ¥1,000 if you don't have one. The seal itself is around ¥500.