Who is venerated at Meiji Jingū?

The shrine is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken.

Is Emperor Meiji buried at the shrine?

Emperor Meiji is not buried on the shrine grounds. The imperial grave is located at Fushimi-momoyama, south of Kyoto.

What architectural style was used for the shrine buildings?

The structures were designed in the nagare-zukuri style, utilizing Japanese cypress and copper as the primary building materials.

Where was the shrine location selected?

The site was chosen in an area containing an iris garden that Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken had visited.

Where did the timber for the shrine originate?

Major timber supplies came from Kiso in Nagano and Alishan in Taiwan, alongside materials gathered across Japanese prefectures.

Why were the shrine structures rebuilt?

Air raids over Tokyo destroyed the original complex during wartime, and public fundraising later financed the rebuilt structures.

Tokyo · Japan

Meiji Jingū: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents living around Shibuya rely on the gravel avenues of Meiji Jingū for silent morning walks before commercial crowds take over the adjacent streets.

Meiji Shrine · CC BY-SA 4.0

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About the place

Meiji Jingū stands in Shibuya as an imperial Shinto shrine surrounded by dense forest.

Meiji Jingū venerates Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken in Shibuya, established following an imperial commemoration resolution after the emperor passed away. An iris garden once frequented by the imperial couple provided the building site. Architect Itō Chūta guided construction in the nagare-zukuri architectural style, incorporating cypress timber and copper cladding gathered from across Japan, including Kiso and Alishan.

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Civic associations and youth groups provided donated labor to raise the complex, which held Kanpei-taisha government status until postwar reforms. Air raids destroyed the original sanctuary during wartime, prompting a nationwide fundraising campaign that rebuilt the compound. While foreign dignitaries frequently pay diplomatic visits here, the emperor is buried south of Kyoto at Fushimi-momoyama.

Associations

Nagare-zukuri architectureShrine halls showcase curved rooflines built from Japanese cypress and copper plate.
Alishan cypress timbersMain structural beams were imported across territories to build the central halls.
Iris gardenThe shrine grounds occupy former imperial garden grounds beloved by the empress.
Imperial burial siteThe shrine grounds do not contain the imperial grave, which lies south of Kyoto.

Facts

The shrine is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken in Shibuya.
The emperor is buried at Fushimi-momoyama south of Kyoto rather than at this shrine.
The main structural timbers were transported from Kiso and Alishan to build the complex.
Wartime air raids leveled the original shrine, which was later rebuilt through public donations.

Updated September 9, 2026Source: Wikipedia

Meiji Jingū: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around20

Meiji Jingū stands in Shibuya as an imperial Shinto shrine surrounded by dense forest.

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