Tokyo: Meiji Shrine Walking Tour — Shintoism & Imperial System
Description
Meiji Shrine, located in a lush forest, is the most visited shrine in Japan. On this small-group tour of up to 10 people, a local guide explains Shinto and the Japanese Imperial system. Experience the calm heart of Japanese tradition. [Highlights] ・Small group tour of up to 10 people ・The mysterious forest where noise disappears ・Japan's 2,600-year-old Imperial system ・Visiting the most popular shinto shrine in Japan ・Learn how Japan went from samurai to modern
Tour Options
Itinerary
Enter through the Harajuku gate and walk along a wide path through a peaceful forest toward the main shrine. Along the way, you’ll pass through giant torii gates, see sake barrel displays, visit the purification fountain, and experience the calm of nature in the heart of Tokyo.
Along the path, you’ll pass through one of Japan’s largest wooden torii gates—made from ancient cypress brought all the way from Taiwan. Its size, history, and quiet power leave a strong impression.
At the main shrine, you can offer a prayer, draw a unique type of omikuji, write your wish on an ema (wooden plaque), and explore a variety of omamori (charms). Many visitors say they feel a special kind of energy in this sacred space.
At the end of the visit, there is a cafe and a gift shop near the shrine grounds. The shop offers charms, traditional goods, and Meiji Jingu–exclusive items. The cafe provides light meals and drinks in a quiet forest setting.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(425)
I highly recommend this tour and this tour company. My tour guide, Tomo, was absolutely amazing from start to finish. I greatly appreciated how friendly, knowledgeable, patient, and kind he was throughout the tour. I learned so much during this tour. Tomo graciously and very skillfully enthusiastically answered all my questions. The pace was excellent. I enjoyed the participatory aspect of the tour, when Tomo asked engaging and thought-provoking questions. This was my first tour with this tour company and because of my experience, I’m certainly going to do more! In fact, I just did a second tour with this same tour company and it was excellent as well. And I’m now signed up for another one tomorrow. Thank you Tomo for going over and above! :-)))
Rico was really kind and helpful. I really understood her and she was amazing.
Great tour and experience with Rico
An amazing and insightful tour with Rico! full of fascinating insights into Japan's history, culture, and religion.
Tomo was our tour guide and made learning about the shine so much fun. He was very open to our questions and provide us with so much interesting information. We really enjoyed our time as well as the wedding we got to see at the shrine. Thank you, Tomo for a great experience!
tomo was an amazing tour guide, answering all the questions we have and knowing so much history
Kodai was a great guide and very informative about Japanese history and the Meiji Shrine. It was super helpful to have a guide to help us learn the traditional customs for how to properly visit a shrine and make sure as foreigners we were respectful of the customs.
Keiko was amazing! There weren’t many crowds. Keiko was full of good and interesting information! She was so friendly and nice!
Guide was super friendly and approachable. She was genuinely fascinated with the topic and very warm and kind
Airi was amazing and the tour was really interesting
