A visit to Meiji Shrine

I paid a visit to the Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) in Shibuya Tokyo. We rode the train into Tokyo and then got on the Yamanote loop at Shinagawa, taking it to the Harajuku station. I am not sure where Harajuku ends and Shibuya starts but its quite close to the station it seems.

The entrance to Meiji shrine is reached by that famous bridge in Harajuku where ever tourist goes to take photos of cosplay and sub-culture fashion. There were tons of tourists, but not so much fashion. Anyhow, I would feel too shy to ask someone for their photo #><# haha.

A lovely place to rest

The walk to the shrine itself is fairly long, but it's just a wonder how quickly you go from urban sprawl to tranquil forest! The lush trees all around you cut you off from the rush of city life, and the various torii, lanterns, sake barrels etc along the way make the walk interesting. There was a nice place to sit and have a snack or shop half way through.

When we reached the shrine, there were not so many people as there were around the entrance to the park. I was happy about that. The somber colors of the shrine building are a subtle camouflage to the intricacy of the architecture. I should have explored the small details more but the ex-bf was hot to get going.

Part of the shrine

So we bought some fortunes, and I got the big luck fortune. Sadly it didn't seem that I got much luck haha. Well some luck and some bad luck. After I put my fortune carefully away in my bag, we went over to the Shrine itself and offered prayers.

Part of the main building

I remember I prayed to return to Japan, and to meet my ex again. Haha, it came true, but not under the best circumstances XP After I finished he promptly told me I had prayed improperly, and I thanked him for teaching me how. I wonder if he understood my sarcasm.

After that we headed back out of the Meiji Shrine, back into Harajuku to explore some shops. It was getting dark, and for some reason all my photos came out really badly. So no Harajuku photos TT

Priest and some visitors conversing

11 comments

Shop N' ChompDecember 16, 2009 at 5:28 PM
What beautiful pictures. Reminds me of my visits to Buddhist temples. :)
JennyDecember 16, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Gorgeous and so serene~
oDecember 16, 2009 at 8:50 PM
So peaceful ^_^

[Off the topic lol Your poupee is all dressed up for Christmas and looking super cute! <3 ----->]
リークDecember 16, 2009 at 9:47 PM
that shrine is awesome :3
I really wish I can go there someday too~

and jesus x'D The image I am getting of your ex-bf get's worse and worse, such a dumbass for not teaching you how to pray correctly but complaining afterwards . . . D:
KathrynDecember 16, 2009 at 10:28 PM
when I went to the Meiji shrine, I got a love charm but I keep losing it -- so maybe there is something in this whole charm thing.

Your photos are fantastic esp the last one.
SandraDecember 17, 2009 at 12:56 AM
I have to go to Japan one day, especially Tokyo and shop pink things haha;)
Connys WorldDecember 17, 2009 at 2:12 AM
i visit this shrine every time when i'm in japan. last year i coul see the kunchi matsuri there. it was sooooooooo nice. i love matusris and the meiji shrine is really nice.

when visited you japan and how long did you stayed there?
Natalia L.December 17, 2009 at 3:31 AM
Ohh so beautiful! I wish I'd visit it while in Tokyo next March! :DD

And I hope is not offending, but your ex seems like he was an asshole.. xDD
JuliaDecember 17, 2009 at 7:02 AM
So many nice places <33
Thanh ThaoDecember 17, 2009 at 7:59 AM
Meiji jingu really looks peacful! Too bad I haven't been there I was only taking a stroll in the meiji park. We didn't have time to visit meiji jingu.
Tutti PatutiDecember 17, 2009 at 9:59 AM
how can u pray improperly? i dont know about religion but u cannot make a lot of mistakes on praying unless u say cuzz words and stuff.

Off topic
thanks for your concern i really appreciate it.
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