Tokyo: Meiji Shrine and Shinto Culture Walking Tour
Description
Step beyond the typical tourist path with a guided journey into Tokyo’s spiritual heart. Our Meiji Shrine Tour is more than a walk through a forest—it’s a cultural immersion. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, you’ll uncover the rich symbolism behind Shinto rituals, discover hidden features of the shrine grounds, and learn how nature and spirituality are deeply intertwined in Japanese tradition. We keep our group sizes small for a more personal, interactive experience—perfect for those who want to ask questions, connect with the space, and truly understand what makes Meiji Jingu one of Japan’s most sacred places. Whether it’s your first time in Tokyo or your fifth, this tour offers fresh insight into Japan’s cultural soul.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Tokyo’s most iconic Shinto shrine, Meiji Jingu is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, the beloved modernizers of Japan. Enter through towering torii gates and walk along a forested path lined with 100,000 trees donated from across the country. At the main shrine, witness traditional rituals, offer prayers, or write wishes on wooden ema plaques. A visit here offers not just a glimpse into Shinto spirituality, but a moment of peace in the heart of one of the world’s busiest cities.
This torii is the largest wooden myojin style torii of its kind in Japan, standing 12 meters tall and 17.1 meters wide. The gate’s sheer size is breathtaking and speaks volumes to the sacredness of the shrine.
Meiji Jingu is a prominent Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. Established in 1920, it is located within a massive, artificial forest of 70 hectares in the bustling Shibuya district, offering a peaceful, traditional escape in the heart of the city.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(458)
Our guide was excellent. She did a great job of communicating with our sometimes spread-out and wandering group. I visited the shrine years ago, and it was so much more interesting with a guide to explain the history and meaning behind what we were seeing.
We had a wonderful tour with Hoshi. He was very knowledgeable and kind.
Great tour with our guide Hoshi! I would recommend him if you want to do this tour!
I had a wonderful experience visiting Meiji Jingu, and a big part of that was thanks to our guide, Hoshi. He was incredibly knowledgeable and explained not only the history of the shrine but also many interesting details about Japanese culture, traditions, and Shinto beliefs in a way that was easy to understand and engaging. Throughout the tour, Hoshi was friendly, patient, and always happy to answer questions. His passion for sharing the history and significance of Meiji Jingu made the experience much more meaningful than simply walking around on our own. The pace of the tour was comfortable, the explanations were clear, and I never felt rushed. It was obvious that Hoshi genuinely enjoys what he does and cares about giving visitors a memorable experience. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Tokyo. Thank you, Hoshi, for making my visit to Meiji Jingu both enjoyable and unforgettable!.
We had a very fun experience, Hoshi explains very well and made the trip much more enjoyable.
Great tour with Hoshi! At a very nice pace and very informative. Thank you!
Isabela was fantastic, one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had. She knows all of Japan’s history, she is passionate and transmits her love of Japan into a very interesting and mentally fulfilling tour. The Meiji shrine is beautiful and there are so many activities inside. We really enjoyed it!!!
Our tour guide Hoshi took us around the shrine and told us not only basic informations but much more interesting facts about shinto and Japanese history as well! It was a really good experience!
A great tour that enhances the experience of Meiji Shrine. Our guide Nicolas gave awesome perspectives into the modern development of Japanese culture and governance.
We had a wonderful tour of Meiji Shrine with our guide Paloma. She was thoughtful and very thorough. Havings insights makes a difference for wonderful memories. Highly recommended!
