Chaos and crowds color Tokyo city, and after spending a week immersed in its craze, it was refreshing to find shades of green at Meiji Jingu Shrine.
The attraction is an urban jungle of sorts, just a short walk from the train station and tucked away in a forest covering 170 acres of Tokyo. Meiji offers a space to breathe, and for toddlers, a place to stretch their little legs. Liv had already reached her daily quota of stroller time, so it was no wonder she took off sprinting–even before her feet touched the ground.
The wide, gravel walking path ahead provided plenty of room to roam, while above, pockets of grays peaked through the canopy of evergreen trees. It was a typical fall day in Japan, with just the right amount of chill in the air.
We warmed up as soon as we made the trek through the towering torii gate and down the shaded path–with paved sidewalks bordering each side. The gentle descent didn't stop Liv from weaving through small groups of people, coming and going. That's also when we noticed just how many people were there; no doubt, a popular tourist attraction, but somehow that didn't take away from our experience.
With so much space around and above us, it was easy to explore at our own pace; the soft crunching gravel and hushed chatter made the experience, essentially, a quiet one, too. It was almost as if everyone welcomed the bit of zen in the city.
At the bottom of the hill, a decorative display of stacked sake barrels greets visitors. The barrels, although donated, are bound with rope and said to be gifts to the gods. The hand-painted details on each barrel are stunning. By this time, the skies began to look ominous, and so was Liv–we were approaching nap time witching hour. And although we didn't make it to the shrine, the walk leading up to it had just the right dose of calm we needed before heading back into the city.
Here are a few more tips for visiting Meiji:
Entry is free. Bring money to purchase food or souvenirs from the cafe and gift shop. They are located near the stacked sake barrels. The restrooms are also located here.
Wear comfortable shoes. The walk to the shrine is outdoors and includes gently sloping hills. If you prefer to wait it out, while the rest of the group explores, enjoy coffee and pastries at the teahouse restaurant. It is located right across from the torii gate entrance.
Stroller and wheelchair friendly. There are paved sidewalks bordering each side of the gravel roadway.
Bring an umbrella or stroller cover. Be prepared for surprise showers during Japan's fall and winter months. We made excellent use of the stroller cover we purchased on Amazon. It began to rain at the end of our walk through Meiji, but we returned to the train station nice and dry.
VIDEO: Exploring Meiji Jingu Shrine with a toddler.
Meiji Jingu Shrine // 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan // Things to note: restroom, benches, cafe, souvenir shop
Comments