Meiji Shrine opening hours. Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo is one of the largest Shinto shrines in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Meiji Jingu(Meiji Shrine) is meiji shrine in Tokyo, one of the largest Shinto shrines country. The temple is located in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, which covers an area of ​​700,000 square meters. This area is covered with evergreen forests which consist of 120,000,365 trees. various kinds donated by people from all over Japan. Meiji Jingu is the most visited sacred monument in the world. Up to 30 million tourists visit this iconic place every year. The construction of the shrine began in 1915, a temple was built in honor of Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912, and his wife, Empress Shoken, who died in 1914. After their death, a movement arose to create a sanctuary. The building was completed in 1920, but the Meiji Jingu officially opened in 1926, and during the Great East Asian War, as the Japanese call World War II, the shrine was destroyed by the Americans. The renovation of the existing building, which was supported by many Japanese in Japan and abroad, was completed in 1958. By visiting this temple, every tourist realizes that only a majestic ruler could turn Japan into a modern state.

General view of the temple and park

The road to the temple itself through the territory of Tokyo Yoyogi Park takes about 15 minutes from the main entrance to the park. It is paved with gravel and surrounded by very tall trees. Through the tops of pines and gingko trees, it is difficult for the sun's rays to break through; therefore, it is always dusk and the impression of abandonment here. The twilight in the park lasts even on hot June days, when temperatures reach 35 degrees, which makes tourists feel chilly and insecure surrounded by huge hundred-year-old trees. This park is covered with flowers or falling leaves throughout the year, which resembles eternal autumn. The grounds of the shrine surrounded by trees are a characteristic example of the unique Japanese temple architecture in the traditional nagare-zukuri style. During the construction, cypress from Kiso was used. The garden presents all varieties of trees and shrubs that grow in Japan.

Meiji Jingu is not just a temple associated with the imperial family, it is a huge temple complex. In addition to the actual sanctuary, there is also a treasury and a palace of ceremonies. The building of the museum-treasury is located in the northern part of the temple area. It is built of stone architectural style azekura-zukuri. Here are various items from the reign of the imperial couple. Paths on the approaches to the temple in autumn are decorated with decorative tents with planted chrysanthemums, because this flower is a symbol of the imperial power of Japan.

The Meiji Jingu Outer Garden, located about 0.7 miles (1.13 km) from the Inner Garden, is known worldwide as the center of Japanese sports. Its creation was completed in 1926. The area of ​​the Outer Garden is 77 acres (31.16 ha). At the end of an alley lined with ginkgo trees is the Meiji Memorial Art Gallery, which contains 80 large murals illustrating events in the life of the emperor and his wife. In the corner of the Outer Garden is the Meiji Memorial (Wedding) Hall, where one of the most important religious events, the Shinto wedding ceremony, continues to be held. Previously, this building was used mainly for conferences and meetings, and discussions were held on the draft Meiji Constitution.

Meji Jingu is the most significant, largest and most popular Shinto shrine in Tokyo. The Japanese come here to ask the blessings of the gods in various life endeavors, whether it's a wedding, the birth of a child, business projects, or just passing an important exam at school or university.

The souls of Emperor Meiji, who bore the name Mutsuhito during his lifetime, and his wife, Empress Shoken, “live” in this sanctuary.

Emperor Mutsuhito ruled Japan from 1868-1912. History shows that the country has never known such a powerful leap in development as during this period, when Japan turned from a feudal backward state into one of the leading world powers. Mutsuhito was the natural son of Emperor Komei, and inherited the throne from his father at the age of 15. With his accession to the throne, a new era began, called Meiji - "enlightened rule".

They say that kings do not belong to themselves, for they belong to the whole country and history, and therefore, with all their seeming power, they often turn out to be deeply unhappy people, deprived of the right to act according to their convictions. Oddly enough, but one of the most revered emperors in Japan, declared an absolute monarch; "great reformer"; the first ruler who welcomed Western civilization and radically changed the face of the country, as a person, was deeply alien to all those changes that were happening on his behalf.

As the supreme ruler, he attended all meetings, but never took part in discussions, he was almost always silent in general and only signed decrees that were written on behalf of the emperor. Anyone who watched the movie "The Last Samurai" probably remembers a modest silent young man - the Emperor of Japan during the Meiji reign.

The largest wooden torii in the country lead to the sanctuary. Barrels of sake are an offering to the temple.

He was an inveterate conservative and deeply revered the traditions that had developed at the court over many centuries, but it is his signature that stands on documents that break the age-old foundations of Japanese society.

Not wanting to deviate from the path of his predecessors even in small things, he nevertheless had to wear alien and uncomfortable clothes - all these frock coats and uniforms sewn according to Western patterns. For the nation, he remained a living deity, which was forbidden to be touched by mere mortals, so all the suits were baggy on him: the tailor could take measurements only at a distance, and sewed trousers and jackets “by eye”.

Just like his divine ancestors, in addition to his legal wife, he had a harem of concubines, but at social events he was forced to appear with his wife and portray a happy Western-style married couple. Once he was even forced to walk arm in arm with her in public, which was completely unacceptable according to the old Japanese etiquette. It was on the anniversary of the "silver" wedding. They say that Mutsuhito was forced to give in, but after walking a few steps, he could not stand such shame and ran away from shame.

The South Gate is opposite the main pavilion

At its core, a peaceful person, but it was under Mutsuhito that Japan fought with Korea, China, and then with Russia.

We cannot know how consciously Matsuhito played his part in turning the ship of Japanese history on a new course. It is known that Mutsuhito drank a lot, and not only traditional Japanese sake, but also Western wines that came to his taste. On the path leading to the Meiji Shrine, barrels of red Burgundy wines are installed: this is how the Western world expressed its gratitude to the first "Western" emperor of Japan, whose spirit lives in the temple.

It is also known that the emperor expressed his timid protest against the innovations of civilization by banning electricity in his palace: until his death, the palace was lit only by candles. They say the "great reformer" was so far from civilization that at first he mistook the chamber pot for what is put under his head at night.

Be that as it may, Emperor Mutsuhito will forever remain in the memory of the grateful Japanese. 8 years after his death, in 1920, a new shrine was built, called Meiji Jingu. temple building It was destroyed during the bombing of World War II: the Americans considered Emperor Meiji as a symbol of militaristic Japan, and they bombarded this sanctuary with precision. The restoration of the temple and the surrounding park was completed in October 1958. People from all over Japan brought trees and bushes here. As a result, 365 species of plants have been collected on an area of ​​more than 700,000 square meters.

Inner courtyard of the temple sanctuary

In the guidebook, which is freely available when visiting the temple, we are taught to properly pay our respects to the royal spirits:

1. First of all, if you are serious about receiving divine support, your appearance and dress must be appropriate. The Japanese follow this point only on especially solemn occasions, crowds local residents roam here with a noisy cheerful din. Most of them are wearing jeans or even shorts. Cheerful dressed up young people often drop in here during Sunday costume parties that take place nearby.

2. Before stepping into the inner territory, you must rinse your hands and mouth in the sacred fountain. This custom is typical for all Japanese temples: the rite of purification is the main action in Shintoism.

3. You go to the main building and, if you wish, you can give the gods a few coins by throwing them into a special box. They say that you should throw coins from afar, so that they jingle, and the deities wake up from their sacred slumber, paying attention to you.

Sacred dances during the annual festival

That's all, consider your mission accomplished: the gods have heard you. Isn't it hard to think of an easier way to pray. So that the spirits do not forget your request, you can address them in writing using a special wooden “ema” tablet. Such signs are hung here on boards installed around a chic tree. At the end of the year, these "petitions" will be burned on a sacred fire, and all requests will go to heaven to the gods along with smoke.

People are also happy to buy up amulets that give protection and favor in various situations: you can buy an amulet from the evil eye, for family well-being, for the successful completion of childbirth, for successful studies, safe driving ... in general, there would be a problem, but there is an amulet .

One of the most seminal types of divination on the territory of the temple is divination based on waka verses left to us by the emperor and his wife. Matsuhito created about 100 thousand creations in his life, the Empress - 30 thousand. All of them are written as an edification to the living.

Here are some of them:

Moon

profound changes
are happening
Because there are so many
people
Left this world
Only the moon in autumn
night
Always stays the same

random thought

understand life
Seeing like a stone
Washed out by the rain
Don't Cling to the Illusion
that nothing changes

random thought

I don't need
Angry at heaven
Or blame
Others (for my suffering)
When I see
Your own mistakes

random thought

So many accusations
In this world
So don't worry
About it
too hard

Your guide in Japan,
Irina

Attention! Reprinting or copying of site materials is possible only if there is a direct active link to the site.

Tokyo's Yoyogi Park is home to Tokyo's most popular Shinto shrine, the Meiji Jingu. The history of the existence of this Shinto shrine is relatively small, it is 90 years old this year, the age for the temple is “infant”. The decision to establish this shrine in the capital of Japan was made shortly after the death of Emperor Meiji (1852–1912) and his wife, Empress Shoken (1850–1914). The years of the reign of this imperial couple fell on the difficult years of the formation of the country after the liquidation in 1868 of the medieval system of military rule (shogunate). In a historically short time, the country managed to get rid of medieval remnants, to adopt the positive experience of developed countries, both in the economic and social spheres. The people of Japan associated these changes in many ways with the efforts of Emperor Meiji. Therefore, the enthusiasm with which ordinary Japanese met the decision to create a Meiji Jingu shrine in the capital is understandable. Emperor Meiji was buried in Kyoto, but the new shrine, in keeping with Shinto tradition, was intended to house the spirit of the imperial couple. Yi's former estate became the property of the imperial household. Both Emperor Meiji himself and his wife have been here more than once. For them, a tea house was built on the shore of the pond, a platform for fishing. The main building of the temple and the storehouse of treasures (personal belongings of the Meiji imperial couple) were placed in the Inner Garden. The shrine is constructed from Japanese cypress wood, which is resistant to moisture. Therefore, the walls were not even covered with paint. The roof of the temple is covered with copper sheets. Having acquired a green patina over time in the air, they helped the sanctuary to organically fit into the greenery of the surrounding park. As is typical for any Shinto shrine, access to the shrine is only possible under the sacred torii gate. For the construction of the Meiji Jingu Gate from Taiwan (at that time it was part of the Japanese Empire), the trunks of huge 1500-year-old cypress trees that grew on Mount Ari were brought. In girth, these trunks were almost 4 m. Of them, the largest gates in the country, 12 m high, were erected, separating the inner, sacred, zone of the sanctuary from the outer, mundane. And on the territory of Gaien, a Memorial Art Gallery was erected, which houses 80 paintings depicting the stages of the life of Emperor Meiji, a Memorial Hall, now used for Shinto wedding ceremonies, and the National Stadium. No matter how large the construction work was, the main efforts had to be spent on creating a temple park. A real forest of 120,000 trees has grown around the temple on 8.3 hectares of land. Since the seedlings were sent in a variety of varieties and varieties, the environment of the Meiji jingu began to somewhat resemble Botanical Garden with a magnificent selection of national flora. The construction of the sanctuary was completed in 1920, and a few years later it was surrounded by green bushes with cozy paths that open to a leisurely pedestrian almost at every step more and more new views, often reflected in the mirrors of the lakes. Surprisingly, Meiji jingu is visited daily by thousands of believers, pilgrims, tourists, but in the surrounding park you can always find solitude and peace, which is not disturbed even by the sounds of the surrounding metropolis, which are not able to break through the dense foliage. During the season, the park is decorated with flower meadows - azaleas, irises, roses, water lilies, wisteria. The history of the existence of the Meiji Jingu is short, but this did not save the temple from upheaval. AT Last year World War II American bombers destroyed the sanctuary with incendiary bombs. Only in November 1958, through the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the temple and the park were restored. This required a huge amount for those times - 600 million yen (1.67 million dollars), which was collected by subscription. The shrine is not only a tribute to the memory of Emperor Meiji. Thousands of people come here with their prayers. It is enough to purchase a wooden ema tablet for 500 yen, write a wish on its back, hang the tablet on any tree knot or bush (all plants in Gaien and Naien are considered sacred), and the prayer is guaranteed to reach the divine

Emperor Meiji was known for his love of writing waka. After himself, he left more than 100 thousand poems to the Japanese people. His wife, Empress Shoken, also wrote poetry in this genre. She has over 30,000 poems to her credit.

Feature of the Meiji Shrine

Meiji Shrine is a relatively new place of worship. It was created in 1920 according to the concept of wakonyosai (the soul of the Japanese and the talent of the Western man). Therefore, unusual omikuji is not the only feature of the temple.

According to Miki Fukutoku, most people tend to think that the temple is just the main shrine. In fact, he, with his inner and outer parts, is something big. The temple located in the inner garden is a symbol of the Japanese soul. Here you worship and show your reverence to the spirits. But the outer garden of the temple is made in a pro-Western style. There is an art gallery with 80 paintings. They reflect the life of Emperor Meiji, who actively maintained friendly relations with foreign countries. For example, symmetrical ginkgo trees are also Western trends.

The Treasure Museum, located in the Gaien Gardens, vividly illustrates the fusion of Japanese and Western flavors. The architectural design of the building is reminiscent of Sosoin, a treasury famous temple in the prefecture. However, the Meiji Treasure Museum, unlike the temple, is not made of wood, but of concrete.

Meiji Shrine (naien), view from above

The sanctuary has three main parts:

• Nayen (inner part), the place where the buildings of the sanctuary are located,
• Gaien (outer part), where the memorial art gallery and sports facilities are located, including one of the oldest Meiji Jingu baseball stadiums and the Meiji Memorial Hall and Wedding Hall.

notice, that total area forest area is about seven hundred square meters. About 170 thousand trees grow here, consisting of 245 different types. This landscape was designed and created by Seiroku Honda and his assistants Takanori Hongo and Keiji Uehara, who boldly refused the proposal of the then Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma to use only cedar in the design. Honda wanted to create an evergreen forest, but as it turned out, the local soil was not suitable for this tree.

Meiji shrine forest

« In 2011, in preparation for the temple's centenary, we monitored the species of trees growing in the area. So, as it turned out, in the local forest there are much fewer trees alien to Japan than, say, in the parks of central Tokyo. This man-made forest was created to delight with its beauty for many centuries and it looks like it will continue to be so.”, said Miki Fukutoku.

Such a wealth of nature attracts more tourists to this place than believers. In addition to plants, you can also meet rare birds that often fly into the forest. The site is home to the endangered Japanese golden orchid and many other rare plant species.

The forest, which has become a wonderful brainchild of Honda, Hongo and Uehara, will delight tourists and locals for more than one year. Fukutoku explained: According to experts, the trees did not even live half the time. The thing is that camphor trees can live from 300 to 400 years. That is why not only our grandchildren, but also great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren will be able to go here!»

According to Fukutoku, despite all these sights, the number foreign tourists increases, but not so rapidly. In the future, their steady increase is expected, because the Meiji Shrine is The best way get to know Japanese culture.

Fukutoku proudly added, “ Of course, the shrines on the outskirts of the city may offer a more authentic atmosphere, but our temple is more accessible. We can, for example, boast of a guest like US President Barack Obama who was in the temple last year. The Meiji Shrine is truly unique. Being in the center of the capital, you can not only see the shrine, but also suddenly find yourself in a real forest».

Celebrations and everyday life of the Meiji Shrine

The main festival of the temple is Reisai (a major autumn festival) which takes place on November 3 in memory of Emperor Meiji. Ambassadors from different countries who can enjoy traditional Japanese performances. Such a holiday is a harbinger of the upcoming fussy period of New Year's days. Of the ten million annual visitors, three million visit the temple during this period. Therefore, it is Reisai and subsequent New Year's days that are an important time for all people who, one way or another, are involved in the Meiji Shrine.

Harajuku-guchi - Entrance to the Meiji Shrine

There are three entrances to the temple:

• harajuku-guchi,
• Yoyogi-guchi
• Sangubashi-guchi.

As a rule, the entrance from the Harajuku side is constantly open, but when the number of visitors increases significantly, the remaining entrances open. As Miki Fukutoku explained, using Harajuku-guchi as the main entrance is justified. Entering through this gate, it is easier for the visitor to navigate and get to the temple. In addition, with the opening of Harajuku Station, most tourists and worshipers come to the Harajuku-guchi entrance. That is why the street adjacent to the temple is called Omotesando. Literally, the name means: “omote” - front, “sando” - road, i.e. "front road". In addition, the Harajuku-guchi gate is the largest gate of the Meiji Shrine.

In 2020, during the period of the event, the sanctuary will celebrate its centenary. Therefore, serious restoration work is planned at the Meiji Shrine, thanks to which the shrine will noticeably change and attract the attention of even more tourists.

The main work will be the restoration of the main building of the temple. In it, during heavy rainfall, the roof periodically leaks, so repairs will begin from this part of the shrine. But this is not the main reason why the administration decided to start preparations from here. It is generally accepted that the souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken are located in the main building. This is the most important part of the Meiji Shrine.

Based on online publications.

• The address: 1-1, Kamizono-chō Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku Tokyo 151-0053
• Telephone: +81 3379-5511
• Official site: www.meijijingu.or.jp
• Foundation date: 1920
• Sanctuary area: 708200 sq. m
• Working mode: 06:20-16:00 (November-February), 05:00-18:00 (March-October)
• Entry fee: for free

Each cultural branch necessarily bears its imprint. Japanese temples are no exception, they are designed to preserve the religious traditions of the country. In addition, temples are objects of sacred architecture, which the Japanese treat with special trepidation. The largest and most popular shrine in Meiji Jingu is the Shinto shrine. Citizens turn here for the blessing of the gods in various life endeavors.

The history of the shrine

Meiji Jingu Temple, located in the Shibuya district, in the city park of Eogi, is a kind of tomb of Emperor Mutsuhito and his wife, Empress Shoken. Upon accession to the throne, Mutsuhito took the middle name Meiji, which means "enlightened reign." During the reign of the monarch, Japan retreated from self-isolation and became a country open to the outside world.

After the death of the imperial couple in Japan, social movement for building the temple. In 1920 the shrine was built, and during the Second World War the temple was destroyed. In 1958, thanks to the help of many Japanese, the Meiji Temple was completely restored. Currently, it is very popular with believers and is considered a religious symbol of Tokyo.

Architectural features of the building

The territory of the sanctuary, consisting of places of worship, gardens and forests, covers an area of ​​more than 700 thousand square meters. m. The building itself is a typical example of Japanese temple architecture. The main hall, where prayers for the imperial couple are read, is built in the Nagarezukuri style from cypress wood. The treasure museum is made of stone in the Azekurazukuri style. There are items here from the reign of Mutsuhito.

The building of the Meiji Shrine is surrounded by an amazing garden in which many varieties of shrubs and trees grow. Almost every tree was planted by local Japanese as a sign of respect for the emperor. The outer garden is used as a venue for sporting events. There is also the Meiji Memorial Hall, which houses more than 80 frescoes dedicated to the life of the emperor.

How to get to Meiji Shrine?

Anyone can visit this unique attraction. The most convenient way to enter the shrine is to take the JR Yamanote subway line and get off at Harajuku Station. You can use ground. The next stop in this case will be Ngubashi Station.