Tokyo's Spiritual Sites: GTN Staff's Top Three Shrine Selections!

There are more than 80,000 shrines across Japan, and about 2,000 of them are in Tokyo. The GTN staff has meticulously chosen three of these, each distinguished by the unique blessings they offer.

These shrines each have their own history and traditions, and they promise various benefits to visitors. We hope you will take the opportunity to refresh your mind and body at these beautiful Japanese shrines.

• Table of Contents
• 1. The Do's and Don'ts of Shrine Etiquette
• 2. Meiji Jingu Shrine
• 3. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
• 4. Kaichu Inari Shrine

1. The Do's and Don'ts of Shrine Etiquette

While the specifics of worship can vary from shrine to shrine and even region to region, we're offering you a quick guide to the general customs and etiquette to follow. In Japan, shrines are open to everyone, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Photo by Freepik

Dress Code for Shrine Visits

When visiting a shrine, there is no strict dress code, but it is advisable to avoid overly revealing or flashy clothing. Shrine grounds can be expansive, and the approach might include a gravel path, so comfortable footwear is advised.

Passing Through the Torii Gate

The torii gate serves as an iconic symbol of Japanese shrines and marks the entrance to the sacred grounds. Before walking through, it's customary to bow and offer a silent greeting to the deity. As you leave, it's also polite to turn around and bow towards the shrine before exiting the torii gate.  

Walking Along the Shrine Path

In the shrine, the middle of the path is referred to as 'Seichū' and is considered the pathway for the deities. Therefore, try to avoid walking directly in the center of the path.

Prayer Etiquette

Purifying your body and mind is considered essential when visiting a shrine. Start by locating the 'Temizuya' (a purification fountain) near the shrine's approach to cleanse your hands and mouth. 

Once you're purified, proceed to the worship hall to pray.

Photo by Freepik

You'll find an offering box at the front of the worship hall where you can place your monetary offering. While many people opt to offer 5 yen for good luck, there's no set rule—the amount is up to you. Some shrines have a large bell hanging from the ceiling; if so, give it a strong shake before placing your offering.

Photo by Freepik

  After making your offering, bow deeply twice and clap your hands twice. After clapping, keep your hands together and pray. Once you've finished your prayer, bow deeply one final time. This sequence of actions is known as 'Nirei Nihakushu Ichirei' (two bows, two claps, one bow).  

Below, we will introduce shrines in Tokyo that have been carefully selected by GTN staff.

2. Meiji Jingu Shrine

The strongest power spot in Tokyo

Meiji Jingu Shrine, established in 1920, venerates the 122nd Emperor of Japan, Emperor Meiji, and his consort, Empress Dowager Shoken. Despite its location in Harajuku, a hub of fashion, the shrine is enveloped in a vast forest, creating a serene atmosphere. This place provides visitors with a sacred space that embodies the essence of Japanese tradition and history.

Meiji Jingu Shrine has three main approaches, but for first-time visitors, the GTN staff recommend the South Approach.

The torii gate marking this approach is directly across from the West Exit of JR Harajuku Station. It is customary to bow once before the torii gate before proceeding along the path.

Torii Gate on the South Approach - Photo courtesy of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

A short stroll down the broad approach of Meiji Jingu Shrine brings you to a striking sight: a row of sake barrels on the right and wine barrels on the left. These sake barrels, forming an impressive wall, have been dedicated by breweries from across Japan. The presence of wine barrels symbolizes Emperor Meiji's embrace of Western culture and his fondness for wine.

There are more than 200 sake barrels, each a donation from sake brewers nationwide. Photo courtesy of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

As you proceed further, a large torii gate becomes visible on the left. This grand torii is the largest wooden Myojin-style torii in Japan, standing 12 meters tall, stretching 17.1 meters wide, and its pillars have a diameter of 1.2 meters.
The sheer scale of this torii is awe-inspiring.

Photo courtesy of Meiji Jingu Shrine

Walking a little more, you'll pass through the third torii gate and see the main shrine.

Main Shrine - Photo courtesy of Meiji Jingu Shrine

In front of the main shrine stand two camphor trees, affectionately known as the "husband and wife camphor trees" or "Meotokusu" in Japanese. They appear as one giant tree because their branches and leaves have grown together, resembling a couple closely nestled together. The Meotokusu are the most renowned spiritual spot in Meiji Jingu Shrine. It is believed that praying in front of these trees, facing the hall of worship after praying at the main shrine, is particularly efficacious.

Meotokusu - Photo courtesy of Meiji Jingu Shrine

Basic Information

Access

① JR Yamanote Line: 1 min from Harajuku Station
② Tokyo Metro Chiyoda/Fukutoshin Lines: 1 min from Meiji-jingu-mae Station
③ JR Yamanote/Sobu Lines: 5 mins from Yoyogi Station
④ Toei Oedo Line: 5 mins from Yoyogi Station
⑤ Odakyu Line: 3 mins from Sangubashi Station
⑥ Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line: 5 mins from Kita-sando Station

3. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

The Birthplace of Shinto Wedding Ceremonies and a Matchmaking Spiritual Spot

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine was established in 1880 in Hibiya as a worship hall for Tokyo's Ise Jingu Shrine. Initially named "Hibiya Daijingu," it was relocated to its current site in 1928 and later renamed "Tokyo Daijingu Shrine" after World War II.

The shrine enshrines the three Zoka deities, who oversee the act of uniting and bonding, and is famed for its blessings in matrimony, having originated the Shinto wedding ceremony.

The shrine's exterior features a torii gate crafted from cypress wood at its entrance.

As you pass through the torii gate, you will find the Chozuya, or hand-watering basin, on the right.

Cleanse your body and mind at the Chozuya before proceeding to the shrine.

Chozuya

Despite being surrounded by buildings, it's hard to believe when you're inside the temple grounds, filled with nature and a serene atmosphere.

Even on weekdays, many people, including foreign nationals, come to pray here. English, Chinese, and other foreign languages can often be heard.

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, renowned for its various blessings, is particularly famous for its wide array of amulets, especially those thought to aid in love and marriage. This makes it very popular among women.
If you're in Tokyo, do make a point to visit Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Most of the ema (votive plaques) displayed throughout the shrine carry wishes for success in love and relationships.

Basic Information

Access

① JR Chuo and Sobu Lines: Iidabashi Station
② Tokyo Metro Yurakucho, Namboku, and Tozai Lines: Iidabashi Station
③ Toei Oedo Subway Line: Iidabashi Station
 *Each station is about a 5-minute walk away.

4. Kaichu Inari Shrine

Enhance Your Fortune for Success in Every Endeavor!

Kaichu Inari Shrine was established in 1533. With the expansion of Edo Castle in 1634, a hundred gunmen were assigned residences in this area. The shrine, resonating with the phrase "mina ataru" (meaning "everyone hits the target"), was believed to bring good luck, thus garnering the faith of these gunmen. It has been said that a ceremony for the hundred gunmen was dedicated here.

Monument with the Shrine's Name and Torii Gate

Today, the shrine is known for "mina-ataru," and is celebrated as a spiritual spot for enhancing luck in activities like archery, shooting, and other sports, as well as in winning lotteries and tickets. There was a steady stream of visitors on the day of our visit.

Worship Hall - Photo courtesy of Kaichu Inari Shrine

Despite being situated in the bustling Korean town of Shin-Okubo, the shrine exudes a quiet and serene atmosphere, tucked away from the hustle and bustle.

Kaichu Inari Shrine offers a wide array of amulets. Many visitors choose to write their wishes on ema (votive plaques) and dedicate them to the shrine.

The GTN staff, who are avid idol fans, also sincerely dedicated an ema, hoping for better luck with tickets in the coming year.If you're looking to improve your chances of success in any venture, a visit to Kaichu Inari Shrine is highly recommended.

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With its depiction of a target and the phrase "Fortune Targeting," even just gazing upon it seems to boost one's luck.

Basic Information

　　・Shrine Visiting Hours: Open 24 hours

Access

① JR Yamanote Line: 1 min from Shin-Okubo Station
② JR Chuo/Sobu Line: 3 mins from Okubo Station

Visiting shrines offers a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of Japanese history and culture and to immerse yourself further in the charms of Japan. So, when you visit Tokyo, why not explore one of the shrines we've introduced here?

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