Knowra Meiji Shrine Meiji Shrine Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Tokyo dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Established in 1920, it stands within an extensive forested precinct.
Shinto : A Japanese religious tradition centered on kami, ritual practice, and sacred places. Meiji Shrine is a major institution within this tradition.
Emperor Meiji : The 122nd emperor of Japan, whose reign from 1867 to 1912 encompassed the Meiji transformation. The shrine is dedicated to his deified spirit.
Hatsumōde : The first shrine or temple visit of the Japanese New Year. Meiji Shrine is one of Japan's most visited destinations for this annual custom.
Yoyogi Park : A large public park in central Tokyo, adjacent to the Meiji Shrine precinct. The shrine forest and park form neighboring green spaces in dense Tokyo.
Meiji Shrine Forest : The woodland surrounding Meiji Shrine, grown from trees donated from across Japan and abroad. Its planned forest landscape is a defining feature of the shrine precinct.
Kami : Spirits or sacred presences in Shinto, associated with natural features, ancestors, and other beings. The shrine enshrines the kami associated with the imperial couple.
Empress Shōken : The consort of Emperor Meiji, known for charitable work and support of women's education. Her deified spirit is enshrined alongside Emperor Meiji's.
Shichi-Go-San : A Japanese rite of passage in which families celebrate children aged three, five, and seven. Families visit the shrine to pray for children's health and growth.
Urban forest : A substantial area of tree cover within or near a city, managed for ecological and public benefits. The shrine's planted woodland became a prominent urban forest.
Meiji Shrine Grand Festival : The annual festival held at Meiji Shrine around the anniversary of its opening on November 1. The festival brings ceremonial performances and offerings into the shrine's yearly calendar.
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