Meiji Shrine, Tokyo

This would be the second time I've visiting the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, or is it the third? Hmm...third!, with each visit a span of 20 years after the other! Amazing. Or not, shows my age! Well, this visit was in June 2013, when we were in Tokyo for our Board Meeting.

The Meiji Shrine would be the most important shrine in Japan, and gets especially busy during major festivals. It is dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his wife. Luckily, it was a quiet week day when we visited, so we had nearly the entire place to ourselves.

As with all shrines and temples in Japan, the landscaping and architectural was in harmony with nature, and all very peaceful and surreal.

Barrels of sake that have been donated to the Shrine

Visitors will have to enter through a large torii gate. Local customs indicate that one has to bow once when entering (at the gate), and bow once when leaving.

Torii gate at entrance into the grounds

Once past the archway, it's a peaceful stroll along the pebbled grounds leading up to the main building.

Another Torii gate leading towards the compound housing the main shrine building

Before approaching the main shrine building, worshippers will have to purify themselves at a temizuya nearby, a water ablution pavilion. It is not unlike the water ablutions of many other religions, where worshippers will have to rinse their hands and mouth (a sign of purification) before entering the shrine.

The temizuya

Once done, worshippers can step across the gate and into the main compound.

Inside the main compound

Even the tress are asymmetrical with one another

Worshippers will write down their prayers or wishes, and hang it out for priests to pray on their behalf.

Prayers, or wishes, left by visitors around the big divine trees

Prayers of visitors