Day 3: MEIJI JINGU SHRINE IN TOKYO - Iskcon Temple, Funabori in Tokyo - Epson Aquarium, Tokyo

The Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo

The third day of our exploration in Tokyo started with a place of worship again, only this time it was not a temple but a shrine - The Meiji Jingu Shrine - based on the Shinto religion, the ancient original religion of Japan. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken, the temple was built in 1920 as a dwelling place for their divine souls. Together, they laid the foundation for a modern Japan by endorsing sincere virtues of peace, amity and friendship which we can evidently see in the everyday lives of Japanese people today.

The Huge Torii entrance gate to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
The grand and daunting Torri Gate at the entrance

 The moment I had a first glance of the place, I instantly knew why it figured high on the must visit list of places for any traveler to this part of the world. An imposing Torii gate stood at the entrance, as the shogun (military officer) overlooking giant dense trees. From here the shrine was a 15 minute walk away. As I walked under it, I could feel myself step slowly from the day’s light into the shade of the trees. The Torii gate opened my view to a blissful world away from the hectic humdrum of the world outside.

The way to the meiji Jingu Shrine In Tokyo
The pathway to the shrine

Planted sincerely by hand some 90 yrs ago in admiration of the enshrined deities, the large cluster of trees today have grown into a dense forest and bent in such a way as if to give you a warm welcome in the house of the Emperor. It was a very pleasing experience walking under them and I could feel the pure energy floating in the air.
The forested area at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
The dense cluster of the tree plantations

Tree cover leading to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
The thick green canopy overhead

Forested area at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo

Further into the walk, there was a souvenir shop brimming with all kinds of Japanese knick knacks – Fans, chopsticks, wind chimes, etc. Having been at the Nakamise Dori Arcade, there was nothing new that we saw here.

Souvenir shop to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Souvenir Shop

 Except a tea tasting kiosk, where we had our very first green tea tasting experience thanks to the warm insistence by the lady seller. The tea tasted quite bitter much in contrast to her cheerful smile which was very lovely and sweet. Besides this, there was a food court but the chairs were vacant and people seemed more interested in the stuffs on sale rather than filling their platter.

A green tea tasting kiosk at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Tea-tasting kiosk

A few steps ahead, 60 wine barrels lay neatly arranged in an organized fashion. Adjacent to it was a board highlighting the significance of the barrels. The Meiji emperor believed in taking the good from other lands and rejecting the bad. In an endeavor to promote modernization while also keeping Japan’s age old spirit and traditions, he adopted many of the western features and set an example by taking western food and in particular enjoying wine with it. Thus, in his honor, the French contributed these barrels of wine which today stand as an earnest prayer in peace and amity amongst the two countries.

Wine barrels in the path towards the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
60 wine barrels arranged neatly in honor of the emperor

Diagonally opposite was an additional arrangement of a similar fashion; that of barrels of sake offered by the eminent brewers of Japan to the enshrined deities once every year to pray for the prosperity of the brewing industry of Japan.

Barrels of sake in straw at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Sake barrels

 A second Torii gate indicated that the shrine was now near. The sideways were lined with paintings and pictures illustrating Emperor Meiji's life.

View from the second Torrii gate at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Passing through the second Torii gate

Through them, it was fascinating to get a glimpse of the entire history of the Emperor spanning right from his birth to his concluding enshrinement here.

A painting showing the ensrinement of the Emperor Meiji at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Painting depicting enshrinement of Emperor Meiji Jingu

 A short walk through history and the third and final Torii gate was now in view.

The third torrii gate at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
The third Torii gate

Beyond this gate stood the main temple, a different kind of a prayer offering space and a sacred rope. There was also a washing area where I cleansed my hands and rinsed my mouth just the way I had done in the Sensoji temple. 

Hand washing ritual at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Washing area in the shrine premises

 The main temple was plain and simple and painted green in color. As it was a Sunday, there was a bit of rush and I saw many people busy clicking photographs. Inside, however, the main temple hall was quite peaceful. Photo taking was prohibited. Only tranquil moments of peace and prayers prevailed.

The Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
The Meiji Jingu Shrine

 Outside, in the temple complex, in one corner dangled a sacred rope bound to two huge trees.

The sacred rope in the Meiji Jingu Shrine complex, Tokyo
The sacred rope

In another, a large table lay stretched besides a wooden board and a huge tree. A wooden box, some blank papers and a few pens lay scattered on it. The box specified to write down your prayers and place them in an envelope along with your offerings. Many did likewise.

Prayer envelopes at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
People writing prayers at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo
Writing down prayers

Some others preferred etching them in chunks of wood and hanging it on the wooden board instead. Most of these prayers were in the local Japanese language but I did see some that read in English – I hope to continue to be happy in future and find ways to lead a meaningful life ahead – Simple prayers and simpler wishes were all that had been asked for.

Prayer wooden hangings at the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo

As I drove back out of the shrine, I happened to read a waka poetry written down by the Emperor in the shrine information pamphlet that was handed to me a few moments ago at the entrance.

For the times to come
And for meeting what must be met
All of our people
Must be taught to walk along
The path of sincerity
People must be taught that we can face any situation if we have makoto, or true sincerity, in our hearts. This is the foundation of education.

- Waka Poetry by Emperor Meiji.

... And I found my mind filled with thoughts of the Emperor, his consort and the temple’s concealed messages of gentility and naturalness in deeds. It all blended together beautifully - the poetry, the message, the environs, the feel... and I came to appreciate the simplicity of the shrine even more.

A few months later, that is today or even years down the line, with all due respect to the shrine, I may or may not remember the exact make of the shrine or its interiors, but I will surely remember that walk... an oasis of peace, calm and tranquility... and that is the reason I will be there again if I ever get to Japan, someday.

Getting there: How to Reach, etc.

Nearest Metro Station: 1 min walk each from the Harajuku station on the JR Yamanote Line and from the Meijijingumae Subway station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line Exit 1/2.
Admission Fees: Free
Open: All 365 days
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset