Goshuin number 16 is from 明治神宮 (Meiji Jingū) again!! I promised more information about it this time around, and a promise is a promise.

This shrine is located in a large park in the middle of Shibuya, a very fun area of Tokyo to visit. It is dedicated to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken, and the grounds include a tea house, fishing pond, and iris garden that they enjoyed going to during their reign. There is also a very impressive collection of sake and French wine on display in huge barrels wrapped in straw and decorated that are donated every year as an offering to the shrine.

One of my favorite things about this shrine is the land it sits on. It’s basically a small forest in the middle of Tokyo, and when you enter the grounds, you can forget for a while that you’re in a giant metropolis. You can take time and walk along the many trails, sit down on a bench and gaze at the scenery, or stand in the main shrine and people watch. It really is a gorgeous area.

After Hunter and I prayed at the shrine and I got my stamp, we paid ￥500 to see the fish pond, tea house, and iris field (which, while not in bloom, was still cool to see). There were lots of carp in the fish pond, and they all swam near the top of the water, probably hoping we would drop some food in! The tea house, which overlooks the pond, looked like a wonderful place to enjoy a nice hot drink in silence. Definitely recommend visiting if you’re in Shibuya!

The front gate of the shrine, complete with tablets decorated with dogs!

Date received: January 10, 2018