The Shinto shrine was built in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It is to this emperor and his wife that the Japanese owe the industrial modernization of Japan.

Inside, you would look in vain for the Emperor's tomb, which is located near Kyoto. This shrine is one of the largest in Tokyo.

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It consists of two main parts. The first one houses the treasure museum. The second part is dedicated to the memorial gallery, which collects paintings from the life of the emperor and his wife. Nearby you can enjoy the view of 200 species of trees.

My recommendation - is Meiji worth a visit?

I've been to Yoygogi Park, where the shrine is located, twice and quite enjoyed it. Although for me, the Zojo-ji Temple in Shiba Park is probably the nicest.

✅ Yes, if:

• you like religious historical sites
• you like to walk through large parks

❌ No, if:

• you don't like crowds
• it's your first time in Tokyo and you want to see the more famous sights
• you don't like to walk long distances (it takes about 15 minutes to walk to the nearest subway)

Top 10 hotels in the Yoyogi Park area

Entrance fees and opening hours

The Meiji Shrine grounds open at sunrise and close at sunset. The exact opening hours are broken down on the official website: meijijingu.or.jp/visit.

Admission is free to the site. It is not possible to enter the main shrine or take photos of its interior from the outside.

There is an entrance fee to the Treasure Museum 1 000 jpy and you can only pay cash! For up-to-date information, visit meijijingu.or.jp/museum.

My day around Meiji (route tips)

Meiji lies between two famous neighborhoods - Shibuya and Shinjuku.

I lived right on Shibuya and my day looked like this:

• Morning check-in at Hotel Indigo
  • 👉 Review and my photos from the hotel
• Morning exploring the area around Shibuya Junction and shopping
• Lunch at a local restaurant
  • 👉 My 5 restaurant tips in Tokyo
• Afternoon transfer by JR Yamanote Line train (about 5 minutes) to Yoyogi Park
  • Visit the sacred well of Kiyomasa
  • Visit Meiji Shrine
• Return to Shibuya to check-in at the hotel and then take the JR Yamanote Line train again to the Shinjuku district (10 minutes)
  • Afternoon visit to the free observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
  • Evening stroll around the bustling Shinjuku district
• Evening sightseeing over Shibuya Junction (info above)

Hotels near Shibuya - view here

How to get there

Meiji Shrine is located in the middle of Yoyogi Park. The nearest subway or train stations are about 1,200 metres away.

• Harajuku station (approx. 1,100 metres)
  • JR Yamanote Line trains - direction Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Imperial Palace, Ginza, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Ueno Park, Hamarikyu Garden
• Meiji-Jingu mae Station (approx. 1,250 metres)
  • Chiyoda Line - direction Kokyo Imperial Palace, Nogi Shrine
  • Fukutoshin Line - direction Shibuya, Shinjuku
• Yoyogi Station (approx. 1,200 metres)
  • JR Yamanote Line - direction Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Imperial Palace, Ginza, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Ueno Park, Hamarikyu Garden
  • Chuo Line trains - direction Shinjuku, Akasaka Palace, Akihabara
  • Oedo Line - direction Shiba Park, Edo-Tokyo Museum, Ueno Park, Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo Tower, Nogi Shrine, Shinjuku, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

All about trains and subways, fares and how to find connections can be found in the Tokyo Metro chapter.

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