Neomaxer helps you discover extraordinary journeys — explore trails, experiences, activities, hotels, and flights, all curated to inspire your next trip.
Neomaxer helps you discover extraordinary journeys — explore trails, experiences, activities, hotels, and flights, all curated to inspire your next trip.
Neomaxer helps you discover extraordinary journeys — explore trails, experiences, activities, hotels, and flights, all curated to inspire your next trip.
Meiji Jingu is the most important Shinto shrine in Tokyo, built in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and Empress Shoken. It is set within a 70-hectare forest of around 100,000 trees, all donated from across Japan at the time of its founding. This forest was intentionally designed as a man-made ecosystem, planned to evolve over a century into a self-sustaining natural space in the middle of the city, making it one of the most serene places to visit in Tokyo. The approach to the shrine begins at the towering wooden torii gates near Harajuku and continues along a wide gravel path that takes about 10–15 minutes to walk. This gradual transition from urban energy to quiet surroundings is one of the most calming things to do in Tokyo, offering a rare sense of stillness within the metropolis. Meiji Jingu is also a popular venue for traditional Shinto wedding ceremonies, especially on weekends. Visitors arriving in the late morning often see wedding processions, with couples dressed in elaborate kimono and priests leading them through the shrine grounds. This cultural experience makes it an essential stop in any well-planned Tokyo travel guide.
What makes this place special
Along the approach to Meiji Jingu, you’ll pass a striking display of around 200 ceremonial sake barrels (kazaridaru), donated each year by brewers from across Japan as sacred offerings. Directly opposite stands a rarer sight in a Shinto setting, a wall of French wine barrels gifted by Burgundy winemakers, symbolizing international cultural exchange. This contrast creates one of the most unique photo spots among places to visit in Tokyo. Stopping here is one of the more memorable things to do in Tokyo, as it captures both tradition and global connection in a single frame.
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Empress Shoken’s Iris Garden, located within the Meiji Jingu shrine grounds, is a calm and well-maintained space that requires a separate 500 JPY entry. It is at its most spectacular in June–July, when around 1,500 iris plants come into bloom, creating a seasonal highlight among places to visit in Tokyo. Despite its beauty, the garden remains relatively uncrowded and is often overlooked in standard itineraries, making it one of the more peaceful things to do in Tokyo.