Deserted Meiji Jingu
These days, I could feel a change within: My time in Tokyo was going to end soon. Since my initial objective to meet up with my friends and explore Tokyo were halted by the recent outbreak, there was really not much meaning to my stay in the capital. I knew that I had to fly to Hokkaido pretty much ASAP. Thus I booked my ticket. However, before leaving there was at least one thing that had to be done, visit Meiji shrine and draw my lot. So I did. The forecast had anticipated rainy weather – fine by me.
Like most people, I made my way to the great shrine from Harajuku station. Meiji Jingu is really close and the southern approach greets you with what must be the most gorgeous Tori gate I have beheld to this day. Fold hands, bow down, walk around the gate – today I come in peace. Luckily due to the given circumstances, at that time the forest was even quieter than it usually is. A mysterious feeling, when you enter this sacred world. The typical Tokyo bustle fades into insignificance and instead a calmness takes over.
Hmm, that looks kinda weird! According to the sign post it’s a recently placed stainless steel art sculpture called “Wheels of Fortune.” I suppose, it is connected to the envisaged Olympic Games. I took a photo because it looked kinda uncanny. The combination of a wheel rim and flames reminded me of some obnoxious Hot Wheels commercial, if anything…
On the many paths throughout the 70 ha of forest you might encounter small stone bridges over zen-like creeks. They look so perfectly natural, that it makes it difficult to think of them as artificial. That you can take shots like this with ease speaks volumes about the beauty of the space. From what I could see across all my visits to this place, it’s also a quite popular photo spot for youth, often with traditional Japanese outfits. If you want to delve even deeper into the forest, you can also get into the emperor’s inner garden. It’s a Japanese style garden with a big pond and a famous well. The place was reportedly frequented by the empress and her husband, emperor Meiji. It will set you back around 400 Yen, but if the flowers are in season (e.g. Irises in June), I’d especially recommend it!
This was giving me mad feels. After all, this was the spot that I so vividly remembered from my first time visiting Japan, back in 2017. Being a lover of Japanese rice wine (日本酒), there is no way I’m not going to share this historical piece with you. There must be hundreds of these sake barrels neatly lined up, making you wonder which one is the best. I guess, there’s no way around drinking them all! c:
Finally, I reached the entrance to the actual shrine. This time was very different. First of all, there were these white tents. Secondly, barely anyone here. Probably a once in a lifetime chance to shoot photos or take in the atmosphere all by yourself. Fortunately, the shrine wasn’t closed even during this day and age. But honestly, I didn’t expect any less from the revered Meiji Jingu. After all, not everything is easily shaken – some things will go on until the earth’s last breath. Anyways, yet another majestic Tori gate, and outside the picture on the left side, the purification font, where visitors are asked to symbolically purify themselves before they set foot into the sacred space.
Once you’re in, there are many things to do. The building in this picture is the main sanctuary. Here you can pray for a wish to come true. Just throw in a couple coins, ring the bell, bow twice, clap your hands twice, – silence – offer your prayer to the kami-sama, bow one last time. There you go, you did it. Honestly, I have to admit that Japanese religious institutions have been quite clever about making their money. Apart from scheduled rituals and cultural events, you can also go and get yourself a charm (お守り) for whatever you need help with (travel, love, money, pregnancy, overall luck, etc). Now be careful, it is said that a kami dwells inside your charm for just one year. Once he leaves, the empty spot can be occupied by another kami or if you’re unlucky, by some other malevolent entity. Thus, it is advised to exchange your charms each year.
People, who collect stamps (印鑑) can also go and get the Meiji Jingu stamp. Don’t worry about carrying a stamp book. You can get it stamped onto anything. They also have some paper prepared for you right there. You can also draw a fortune lot (おみくじ), although in this shrine’s case you don’t draw a lot which will tell you the power of your current luck. Instead, you get one of the emperor’s or empress’ poems, which is meant to help you in your particular situation. Apart from these activities, there are many more things to do at Meiji shrine. But those are the things I did this time around. It felt great to visit this place. Whenever the next chance comes around, I’ll be on my way there once again. In case you get the opportunity to visit, I would urge you to do so. For me it’s always a Tokyo highlight.
