The Hidden Meiji Shrine Inner Garden- Part l

Meiji Shrine is one of the most important Shinto building which dedicated to Meiji Emperor and his wife, Empress Shoken. The original building was destroyed during World War ll. It was then rebuilt in the 1950s and still under covers til 2020. The inner garden with a tea house (Kakuun-Tei) in the shrine was designed by Emperor Meiji for his wife for fresh energy. The original name of this garden is Meiji Jingu Gyoen Shobuda, meaning Meiji Shrine Park Iris Field. It is a tranquil place to enjoy a morning get away from the bustling Tokyo city under the shower of shades surrounded by a man-made forest. 

Fresh verdure in spring, varies kind of flowers in summer, red autumn leaves, and pure white snow in the winter gives inexhaustible charms to this garden all year round. If you are lucky enough, you are able to catch the full bloom of purple Japanese Irises flower, starting in the mid of summer till the end of June, during (Tsuyu) rainy season. On the other side of the garden, there is a meandering path that leads to a lovely lily pond, arbor, tea house, fishing stand, and Kiyomasa-Ido Well. The well has been built since the Edo period as a source. It is still gushing out pure and clean water all the time.

Venue: 

1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan

Opening Hours: 
 9.00 a.m.-4.30 p.m. (March to October)

9.00 am.- 4.00 p.m. (November to February)
8.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m. (June)

Contacts: +813 3379 5511

Google Review Rate: 4.5*

Entrance Fees: 

Admission to Meiji Shrine is free,

Admission to Inner Garden is 500 Yen

Getting There:

Meiji Shrine is easily accessed through public transport. The approach to the Shrine starts from Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line or Meiji Jingu-Mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Subway Lines. Both these station are closest to the South Shrine Gate.

Whereas the Yoyogi station is closest to the north shrine gate, 

while the Sangubashi station is closest to the west shrine gate.

We enter the shrine complex through the south shrine gate which most of the tourists do. 

The path leading to the main shrine is very peaceful and beautiful. Many tourists 
choose not to pay the additional entry into the inner garden in Meiji Shrine. 
However, I think it was well worth the visit.