Japan - Tokyo Meiji Shrine

I have been dreaming about visiting Japan again with my parents for many many years.  This spring that dream became a reality when we spent two weeks exploring Japan together.  My parents are great travelers and very adventurous - we had such an incredible time together and a lifelong dream of mine was fulfilled. 

Our first morning together in Tokyo happened to be Mother's Day. So, I did what any good daughter should do, I bought the most bizarre Japanese gift I could find...a snail and snake venom anti-aging/whitening face mask (seriously this is a very popular item in Japan!) and I requested that the restaurant bring out a special dessert plate for my mom. The waiter was very eager to help, sadly he needed my assistance to figure out how to spell Happy and Mother's. Anyway, its the thought that counts! 


 On our way to explore Tokyo


Figuring out the ticketing and train system - thank goodness for my Dad and old school ticket machines. He walked right up and bought our tickets as if he had never left Japan. The train map is also incredibly complex, apparently the most complicated in the world. 


Our first train ride in Japan on the Yamanote (light green/ circle) line - heading to the Meiji Shrine


While walking along the path to the shrine we passed huge barrels of sake. These barrels are donated every year by Meiji Jingu Nationwide Sake Brewers Association.


We visited the Meiji shrine on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning. The walk up to the shrine was very peaceful and shaded by many massive old trees.  I was impressed by how quiet the shrine was even though it is nestled in the middle of a massive bustling city. The shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of about 175 acres in downtown Tokyo (similar concept to Central Park).


The Meiji shrine was founded in 1921 to enshrine the Emperor and Empress Meiji. The Emperor Meiji, also known as Meiji the Great, was the first modern Japanese emperor. His ascension in 1868 re-established imperial rule in Japan and brought the government of the Tokugawa (Samuri) shogunate to a close.  During Emperor Meiji’s reign, Japan underwent a period of rapid westernization, emerging as a modern nation by the time of his death in 1912.

Most of the major buildings of the shrine were burned down in 1945 due to air raids during World War II, but everything was reconstructed in 1958.

Interestingly the white hood that the bride is wearing is called a wataboshi. The purpose of the hood (that literally means "to hide horns") is to hide the "demonic horns" of the bride as a confirmation she submits to carry out her role as a wife with serenity and patience.  

During a visit to the shrine, if you are lucky you might be able to see a Shinto wedding procession in front of the main building. We were very fortunate on the Sunday we visited and witnessed three different wedding processions at the shrine. The incredibly impressive processions were quite solemn and led by the shinto priests.  We kept a respectable distance but we were able to capture a few pictures of the procession. 



wedding processions at the Meiji shrine

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