Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine set within a 70-hectare forested park in the heart of Tokyo, dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. For families, the shrine delivers a rare combination of natural calm and cultural depth within one of the world's most densely urban environments. The approach from Harajuku station leads through a long, shadowed path of towering cypress trees flanked by rows of sake barrels and wine barrels — gifts to the shrine — before arriving at the main torii gate and inner courtyard.

Children find the scale of the structures genuinely awe-inspiring, and the forested setting offers a sensory contrast to Tokyo's otherwise concrete-dominant streetscape. The main shrine area is free to enter, and families can observe traditional Shinto rituals, write wishes on ema wooden plaques, and watch the occasional wedding procession. The inner garden, a separate ticketed area, features a beautiful iris garden that peaks in June.

Strollers navigate the main gravel paths reasonably well, though some uneven surfaces exist. The grounds are busiest on New Year's Day when millions of visitors arrive for the first shrine visit of the year, so families should visit at other times for a contemplative experience. Combining Meiji Jingu with a walk through adjacent Yoyogi Park creates an excellent full morning for families.