The Fujimori Hill House

The Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is located in Shibuya, Tokyo and is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.

The Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Empress Shōken in 1914. The emperor Meiji issued in the Meiji Restoration in Japan, which is largely defined as the opening of Japan, and the return of Imperial rule and the return of many individual freedoms in Japanese society.

The Meiji Shrine was constructed and the Emperor and Empress souls enshrined on November 1, 1920 however the land on which the shrine is built has been a special and sacred place to the Imperial family and the Japanese for centuries.

The Shrine is located in a forest in the center of Tokyo that covers an area of some 700,000 square-meters (about 175 acres). This area is covered by an tall evergreen forest that consists of over 120,000 trees of more then 365 different species, all of which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. The Shrine and forest is visited by many as a spiritual home of the people.

In the center of the Shrine is the wonderful Gyoen, or Inner Garden, which used to be part of the suburban residences of the Katos and the Iis (both daimyo families). Situated at various locations in the garden are a tea house, a fishing spot, a bower, and an iris garden, all of which are connected by winding paths.

One can not help but notice a drawing in that occurs upon entering the Shrine grounds. There is an almost uncanny peace after just leaving an area of thousands of people walking on the city sidewalks and trains in Harajuku at the entrance of the Shrine.

As one walks deeper into the grounds, a movement deeper within ones spirit also occurs. Things which might otherwise go unnoticed or experienced take on deeper meanings. Things like the cypress in the Torii gate take on special meaning. Immense in size, the main pillars are made from trees over 1500 years old.

There are many areas in the park where one can relax, meditate, bring and enjoy lunch in the outdoors. The inner garden provides more private places to be alone with oneself and Spirit.


		Tori Gate Young child praying at the Main Shrine Inner Garden and Pond A wedding procession in the Shine's central area.
Meiji Shrine *The Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū) is* located in Shibuya, Tokyo and is a Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. The Emperor Meiji died in 1912 and Empress Shōken in 1914. The emperor Meiji issued in the Meiji Restoration in Japan, which is largely defined as the opening of Japan, and the return of Imperial rule and the return of many individual freedoms in Japanese society. The Meiji Shrine was constructed and the Emperor and Empress souls enshrined on November 1, 1920 however the land on which the shrine is built has been a special and sacred place to the Imperial family and the Japanese for centuries. The Shrine is located in a forest in the center of Tokyo that covers an area of some 700,000 square-meters (about 175 acres). This area is covered by an tall evergreen forest that consists of over 120,000 trees of more then 365 different species, all of which were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established. The Shrine and forest is visited by many as a spiritual home of the people. In the center of the Shrine is the wonderful Gyoen, or Inner Garden, which used to be part of the suburban residences of the Katos and the Iis (both daimyo families). Situated at various locations in the garden are a tea house, a fishing spot, a bower, and an iris garden, all of which are connected by winding paths. One can not help but notice a drawing in that occurs upon entering the Shrine grounds. There is an almost uncanny peace after just leaving an area of thousands of people walking on the city sidewalks and trains in Harajuku at the entrance of the Shrine. As one walks deeper into the grounds, a movement deeper within ones spirit also occurs. Things which might otherwise go unnoticed or experienced take on deeper meanings. Things like the cypress in the Torii gate take on special meaning. Immense in size, the main pillars are made from trees over 1500 years old. There are many areas in the park where one can relax, meditate, bring and enjoy lunch in the outdoors. The inner garden provides more private places to be alone with oneself and Spirit.

The Shrine has several large walkways like this, and many smaller paths as well.	The inner pond