Meiji Jingu

This is a shrine that worships the Meiji Emperor and his wife, Empress Shoken. This shrine has the most visitors during New Year's holidays. There is a large forest that spreads over 700 thousand square meters in the inner garden of Meiji Shrine that has the main building in the center, and this forest has become an oasis for the citizens of Tokyo. The irises in the iris garden that was planted for Empress Shoken comes into bloom in June, which delights the visitors' eyes. In the outer garden, there is the Seitoku Gallery, and also some sports facilities such as the Shrine Stadium. There is also the Meiji Memorial Hall which is a hall used for weddings and other parties that even talents and celebrities use. There is a kagura (sacred music and dancing performed at shrines) performed during the end of April to the beginning of May in the Spring Festival called the Urayasu-no-Mai. Urayasu-no-Mai is a mikomai (female Shinto dance that the young girls each carry a small baton with bells) that is popular as a way to experience the atmosphere of ancient Japan. There are also various traditional performances such as bugaku (court dance and music) and nohgaku (traditional Japanese play using masks) on the Shinto stage in front of the main building during this period. It is recommended that you visit at least once to experience traditional Japanese culture. It is a one-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line Harajuku station.