[Tokyo] Top 3 power spots in Tokyo carefully selected by GTN staff!

There are over 80,000 shrines across Japan, with around 2,000 in Tokyo alone. GTN staff have carefully selected three shrines based on their benefits!

Each of these shrines has its own unique history and traditions, and offers various blessings to those who visit. Be sure to refresh your mind and body at one of Japan's beautiful shrines.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Shrine Visiting Procedures and Manners
• 2. Meiji Shrine
• 3. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
• 4. Kaichu Inari Shrine

1. Shrine Visiting Procedures and Manners

The etiquette for worshiping at a shrine may differ depending on the shrine and region, but here we will introduce the general etiquette and manners to follow. In Japan, anyone can visit and worship at a shrine, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Photo by Freepik

Clothing when worshiping

There are no specific rules for what to wear when visiting a shrine, but it is best to avoid revealing or flashy clothing. The shrine grounds are large, and the approach to the shrine may be gravel, so it is recommended that you wear comfortable clothing.

How to pass through the torii gate

The torii gate is the symbol of a shrine and the entrance to the sacred grounds.
Before passing through the torii gate inside the shrine grounds, bow and greet the gods.
After you have finished praying, when you leave, it is a good idea to turn around and bow to the shrine before passing through the torii gate.

How to walk along the approach to the shrine

The center of the approach to the shrine is called "Seichū" and is believed to be the path the gods take, so try to avoid walking in the center of the approach as much as possible.

Etiquette for worship

It is considered important to purify your mind and body before worshiping, so before you begin, be sure to purify your hands and mouth at the temizuya (purification fountain) located on the side of the approach to the shrine.

Once you have finished purifying yourself, proceed to the worship hall.

Photo by Freepik

There is a donation box in front of the worship hall, so put your offering in there. It is common to put in 5 yen as it is said to lead to good fortune, but the amount is up to you, so there is no rule that it has to be 5 yen. Also, some shrines have a large bell hanging from the top of the donation box, so if there is a bell, shake it vigorously to make it ring before putting your offering in.

Photo by Freepik

After putting in your offering, bow deeply twice and clap your hands twice.
Once you have finished clapping, put your hands together and pray.
Once you have finished praying, bow deeply once more.
This etiquette is called "two bows, two claps, one bow."

Below are some shrines in Tokyo carefully selected by GTN staff.

2. Meiji Shrine

The most powerful power spot in Tokyo

Meiji Shrine was founded in 1920 and is dedicated to the 122nd Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken. Although it is located in Harajuku, the fashion capital of Japan, the shrine grounds are surrounded by a vast forest with a tranquil atmosphere. This shrine offers a sacred space where visitors can feel the traditions and history of Japan.

There are three routes to visit Meiji Shrine, but for first-time visitors, GTN staff recommend the South Approach .

The torii gate on the south approach to the shrine is right in front of you as you exit the west exit of JR Harajuku Station. Make sure to bow before the gate before continuing along the approach to the shrine.

Torii gate on the south approach. Photo provided by Meiji Shrine.

After walking a little further along the wide approach to the shrine, you will see rows of sake barrels on your right and wine barrels on your left. The sake barrels were donated by sake breweries from all over the country and form a huge wall. The wine barrels are a reference to Emperor Meiji's active adoption of Western culture and his love of wine.

There are over 200 sake barrels donated by sake brewers from all over the country. Photo provided by Meiji Shrine

If you go further, you will see a large torii gate on the left. This large torii gate is the largest wooden Myojin torii gate in Japan, measuring 12 meters in height, 17.1 meters in width, and with pillars 1.2 meters thick.
You will be overwhelmed by its power.

Photo credit: Meiji Shrine

If you walk a little further and pass through the third torii gate, you will see the main shrine.

Main Hall Photo provided by Meiji Shrine

In front of the main shrine are two camphor trees known as the Couple Camphor Trees. This is because the branches and leaves of the two camphor trees blend together to form what appears to be a single giant tree, standing close together like a married couple. The Couple Camphor Trees are Meiji Shrine's most well-known power spot, and it is said to be effective to pray from in front of the Couple Camphor Trees towards the worship hall after praying at the main shrine.

Photo provided by Meiji Shrine

basic information

Access methods

① 1 minute walk from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line ② 1 minute walk from Meiji-Jingumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and Fukutoshin Line ③ 5 minute walk from Yoyogi Station on the JR Yamanote and Sobu Lines ④ 5 minute walk from Yoyogi Station on the Toei Oedo Line ⑤ 3 minute walk from Sangubashi Station on the Odakyu Line ⑥ 5 minute walk from Kita-Sando Station on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line

3. Tokyo Daijingu Shrine

A shrine that originated Shinto weddings and a power spot for matchmaking

Tokyo Daijingu was founded in Hibiya in 1880 as a worship hall for Ise Jingu in Tokyo. It was originally called "Hibiya Daijingu," but moved to its current location in 1928 and was renamed "Tokyo Daijingu" after the war.

The shrine enshrines the three gods of creation who are in charge of tying things together, and as it is the shrine where Shinto weddings were first performed, it is also known for its blessings in finding love.

At the entrance to the exterior of Tokyo Daijingu Shrine, there is a torii gate made of cypress.

Once you pass through the torii gate, you will see a water basin on your right.

Before praying, purify your body and mind at the temizuya (purification fountain).

Chozuya (purification station)

The temple grounds are filled with nature and have a peaceful atmosphere, making it hard to imagine that they are surrounded by buildings.

Even though it was a weekday, many people came to worship, including foreigners. You could hear foreign languages such as English and Chinese being spoken.

Tokyo Daijingu, which is expected to bring various benefits, is known as a shrine with a wide variety of charms, especially cute charms that are said to bring luck in love and finding a partner. For this reason, it is very popular among women.
If you visit Tokyo, be sure to visit Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

Most of the votive plaques hanging all over the place are filled with wishes for love.

basic information

Access methods

① Iidabashi Station on the JR Chuo/Sobu Line
② Iidabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Namboku Line, and Tozai Line ③ Iidabashi Station on the Toei Subway Oedo Line
*5 minutes walk from each station

4. Kaichu Inari Shrine

Improve your luck in games and hit the target 100%

Minachu Inari Shrine was founded in 1533, and when the 100-man rifle squad was given land for their residence here following the expansion of Edo Castle in 1634, the word "minachu" was read as "minaataru" (everyone hits), which was considered to be auspicious, and the shrine gained the faith of the rifle squad, and the 100-man squad's departure ceremony began to be dedicated here.

Shrine monument and torii gate

Currently, the shrine is known as a power spot for increasing fortune, as its name is pronounced "Minaataru" (mina-ataru), and it is known for bringing about wins in archery, shooting, lotteries, and tickets. On the day of our visit, the shrine was constantly bustling with worshippers.

Worship hall Photo provided by Kaichu Inari Shrine

Despite being located in the bustling Korean town of Shin-Okubo, this small shrine stands quietly and has a very calming atmosphere.

Minami Naka Inari Shrine has a wide variety of amulets, and most visitors choose to receive an ema (votive plaque) on which they carefully write their wishes and offer it as an offering.

GTN staff, who are idol otaku, also made heartfelt votive plaques, hoping for better luck in getting tickets next year.
If you are looking to take a gamble on something, be sure to visit Mina Naka Inari Shrine.

With a picture of a shooting gallery and the words "Good luck, hit the target," just looking at it will likely bring you good luck.

basic information

Access methods

① 1 minute walk from Shin-Okubo Station on the JR Yamanote Line ② 3 minutes walk from Okubo Station on the JR Chuo/Sobu Line

Visiting shrines will help you learn more about Japanese history and culture and will also give you the opportunity to experience the charm of Japan even more, so if you come to Tokyo, why not visit one of the shrines introduced here?

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