MEIJI-JINGU SHRINE
A haven of calm and coolness in the middle of Harajuku, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the Meiji emperor is also the largest in Tokyo.
Comfortably set in the heart of a magnificent 72-hectare park, it is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912, and his wife Empress Shōken, who died in 1941. It was built between 1912 and 1920, and over 100,000 trees from all over Japan were planted to honor their memory. Emperor Meiji (1852-1912), Japan's 122nd emperor, is famous for leading the opening up and modernization of Japan in the Meiji era of "enlightened government". Under his reign, a constitutional system was established and the old social hierarchies were abolished, laying the foundations for a nation-state.
This is the country's largest Shinto shrine. Weddings and other ceremonies such as Shichi-go-san (children's festival for 3, 5 and 7 year-olds) are regularly held here. It is therefore advisable to observe certain principles of etiquette, such as purifying the body with water or bowing to the torii. In the courtyard of the main building, wishes are hung on offering trees. Visitors are offered waka, poems composed by the emperor and his wife, of which they were particularly fond. Forms, letters to the deities (kami) and ema, wooden tablets bearing wishes, are available to all, for a fee. The priests then collect the messages and address them to the kami. All these little things make great souvenirs to take home.
Entrance to the park is via the large cypress-woodtorii from Mount Alishan in Taiwan. Paths lead to the various buildings that make up the sanctuary. In addition to the kaguraden, a music and dance hall built in the 1990s, you'll also see the main structure - the honden - built in the nagare-zukuri style, and the noritoden where the liturgy is recited. At the rear of the shrine is the Treasure Building, where objects relating to the emperor are displayed. In October 2019, a Kengo Kuma-designed museum dedicated to the history of the Meiji era opened in the park to mark 100 years since the shrine's inauguration. Not far from the main torii is a pretty garden (entrance fee payable) where a superb bed of irises can be seen in June. During the hot summer months, this whole area forms a veritable oasis, where the temperature is a little cooler than in the city. It's an ideal place to recharge your batteries in the middle of the day, but beware of mosquito bites!
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Members' reviews on MEIJI-JINGU SHRINE
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Sanctuaire dédié à l'empereur Meiji et à l'impératrice douairière Shoken en 1920.
Le sanctuaire attire le plus grand nombre de fidèles de Hatsumode au Japon.
La forêt de Yoyogi, créée par la plantation artificielle d'environ 100 000 arbres, couvre une superficie de 700 000 mètres carrés.
D'un vert profond, elle offre tranquillité et sérénité d'esprit.
Les 36 bâtiments, y compris le hall principal, sont désignés comme biens culturels d'importance nationale.
En 2020, le Meiji Jingu a célébré son 100e anniversaire.
Le sanctuaire est toujours bondé de fidèles et de touristes étrangers.
Les terrains du sanctuaire sont vastes, de sorte que l'on n'a pas l'impression d'être à l'étroit.
De nombreuses personnes se rendent au sanctuaire pour diverses occasions, par exemple pour se débarrasser de la malchance.
Traduction
Un vaste temple s'étend à l'ouest de la station Harajuku de la ligne JR Yamanote.
Un sanctuaire dédié à l'empereur Meiji et à son épouse l'impératrice Shoken en 1920.
C'est le sanctuaire qui reçoit le plus grand nombre de visiteurs au Japon.
La forêt de Yoyogi, créée par la plantation artificielle d'environ 100 000 arbres, couvre une superficie d'environ 700 000 mètres carrés.
La verdure profonde vous apporte la tranquillité et la paix de l'esprit.
Les 36 bâtiments, y compris le hall principal, sont considérés comme des biens culturels importants du Japon.
En 2020, le sanctuaire Meiji a franchi une étape importante, celle des 100 ans de sa création.
Quelle que soit la date de votre visite, il est toujours animé par de nombreux fidèles et touristes étrangers.
Les terrains sont vastes, ce qui fait qu'il n'y a jamais de foule.
De nombreuses personnes s'y rendent pour diverses raisons, par exemple pour chasser les mauvais esprits.