Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu is why a first-timer still starts west of the tracks. The precinct is a planted forest of about 100,000 trees given at the shrine’s founding. Enshrined are Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The walk from the Harajuku torii to the honden takes about ten minutes. Hours change by month with the sun. January opens 06:40 and closes 16:20. June opens 05:00 and closes 18:30. December opens 06:40 and closes 16:00. Goshuin are issued at 長殿 from 09:00 until closing. Do not run, picnic in the woods, or shoot commercial photos without permission. The Inner Garden (御苑) is a separate paid walk inside the same row, not a second shrine. Adults pay ¥500. March–October 09:00–16:30, November–February 09:00–16:00, all of June 08:00–17:00 (Saturday and Sunday to 18:00). Irises in June, Kiyomasa’s well year-round. Official hours: meijijingu.or.jp/sanpai/2.php and /midokoro/gyoen/.