IS JAPAN COOL? TOKYO
1. A great Shinto shrine located in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The shrine grounds cover an area of approximately 700,000 square meters.
2. The shrine was founded in 1920 to enshrine the deified spirits of the Meiji emperor and empress.
3. Nearly three million visitors — the largest number in Japan — come to Meiji Jingu for their ritual New Year’s shrine visit. At that time of the year, Harajuku Station provides exclusive ticket gates with direct access to the shrine.
4. Unlike most omi-kuji (paper fortunes), those from Meiji Jingu show messages in waka (traditional Japanese poetry). Omi-kuji from Meiji Jingu cannot be posted at the shrine and must be taken home.
5. Jingu-bashi is located between Harajuku Station and Meiji Jingu and is famous for attracting “costume players.”