【Tokyo Stroll 】A power spot at the heart of Tokyo? Go to the Meiji Shrine and get “Goshuin”

12.July.2017 | FEATURES / SPOT

Kiyomasa’s well: The popular power spot

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Meiji Shrine’s imperial garden is covered with a blanket of beautiful Japanese iris flowers called “Shobuda”. Here, you can also find the famous power spot Kiyomasa’s well, a fishing stand, a summerhouse, and much more. To maintain the imperial garden, all guests are required to pay an entry fee of just ¥500 so please prepare your small change in advance!

 

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The imperial garden is lush with green. You would not believe that such a world of vast nature exists so deep in the heart of Tokyo! Every year in June, the Japanese iris flowers of the imperial garden bloom with beauty that attracts many visitors. The beauty of the sacred lotus flowers can be admired until around July.

 

 

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And of course, Kiyomasa’s well. The city’s mysterious well gushes with water, attracting much attention from the media and causing shocking queues that stretch all the way to the entrance of the garden.

 

Paying respect to the main shrine and receiving a seal stamp.

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Finally arriving at the main shrine, I passed through the third grand torii gate and stopped by the “Temizuya”. This is a basin filled with water for the visitors to cleanse themselves spiritually. Using the wooden ladle provided, I followed the steps to ritually cleanse myself and then passed through the two-storied Romon gate.

 

 

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Upon entering the main shrine, I noticed two camphor trees on the left hand side. They were tied together at the trunk by a large, chunky rope. From afar, it looked like one tree. The two trees appear to be snuggling up to one another – no wonder they are called the “couple camphor tree”. This tree provides a blessing to grant a strong marriage and family safety.

 

 

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Facing the main shrine, enter the Kagura hall on the right. Once you enter, to your immediate right is the “Goshuin no Juyosho”, (御朱印の授与所) where you can receive your shrine seal stamp! For just ¥500, you will receive the stamp and a picture postcard! Make sure to visit the shrine and collect your stamp together!

 

 

 

■information

Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu)

Address: 1-1, Yoyogi Kamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo

Access:Meiji Jingu Harajuku entrance…JR Yamanote line – 1 minute walk from Harajuku station・Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line/ Futoshin line – 1 minute walk from  Meiji-Jingumae station

Meiji Jingu Yoyogi entrance…JR Yamanote line/ Sobu line – 5 minute walk from Yoyogi station ・Tokyo Metro Futoshin line – 3 minute walk from Omotesando station

Opening hours vary for each month so please check out the official website.

Telephone number:03-3379-5511

Official website: http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

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Once you collect your shrine seal stamp, the day is complete! Starting from the large torii gate, making our way through the imperial garden, recharging at power spot Kiyomasa’s well and then a calm break to feel the nature at Morinoterasu café. Today was packed with activity and wind-down time. What did you make of it?

 

Planning to make a trip sometime? How about travelling around Tokyo!

 

 

Photo & Writer:Haruka Yamamoto
Model: Ellie

 

 

 Related article:Travelling to Kamakura with Rinko Murata & “Nottemite” Travel Guidebook—No Car Needed!

 

Related article:【Tokyo Stroll】A romantic aquarium date with Yutaro at “Aqua Park Shinagawa” ♡

 

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    © 1988 Studio Ghibli
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    © 2004 Studio Ghibli – NDDMT

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    ©nagano / chiikawa committee

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