This week I plan on finishing and posting all the blog posts about my trip to Japan.
On our final full day in Japan my brother Michael, sister-in-law Krista, and I visited a few amazing spots around Tokyo city. Our first stop was Meiji Shrine, which is located next to the Harajuku JR train station. A few days previous we tried to visit Meiji Shrine, but we got there 5 minutes before closing. The security guard let us through the closing gate, but we weren't able to see much, so we promised to return.
This Shinto shrine honors Emperor Meiji, who died in 1912, and his wife Empress Shōken. Construction started in 1915 and was finished in 1921.
The grounds are absolutely extraordinary. From Wikipedia: "Meiji Shrine is located in a forest that covers an area of 70 hectares
(170 acres). This area is covered by an evergreen forest that consists
of 120,000 trees of 365 different species, which were donated by people
from all parts of Japan when the shrine was established."
All the trees were planted around 90 years ago!! And yet it feels like you're walking through an old forest. It's really quite beautiful, and a nice relaxing place to visit in the bustling city of Harajuku/Shinjuku.
Trying to get our bearings.
The grounds are quite large and there's a few walking paths.
Barrels of sake.
Prayers and wishes.
All the beautiful trees.
On our way to Asakusa and the Genza subway line.
(Photos by Michael and Sarah Stufflebeam)
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