Category: Japan

Traveling can be so exciting. Sometimes questions come to mind that you never thought of before. In Tokyo I made my way to the Meiji Shrine, and that’s where it all started. The Meiji Shrine is one of the most popular sights in Tokyo and is located in Yoyogi Park.

During the cherry blossom season, this park is one of the most important destinations for cherry blossom tourists. Everything is bathed in pink blossoms and Japanese and tourists alike go crazy over so much nature. I was hoping to catch a bit of the cherry blossom hype as well, but unfortunately the strong winds the night before had swept away pretty much all the remnants of the dwindling cherry blossoms.

Religions in Japan: What is Shinto?

Anyway, off to the shrine. Unprepared as I was once again, I knew nothing about it. Shrine? Had to be something religious, I guess. But what about religions in Japan? I rarely felt stupid because I had no idea at all. The Japanese were not influenced by Christianity, and everything that went in the direction of Asia was to me always somehow connected to Buddhism. But this didn’t look like a buddhist temple at all.

One look at Wikipedia, travel guides and a few signs later, I knew: The Meiji Shrine is dedicated to one of the last emperors, Emperor Meiji, and his wife. And: It’s a Shinto temple. Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion and cultural philosophy – and if I’m honest, even after visiting and reading about it for a long time, it was too complex for me to really understand what it’s all about.

➜ You can find more travel reports from Japan here on the blog!

Shinto at the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

But enjoying and marveling at the new impressions was more than enough for me. For example, upon entering the shrine area, worshippers must complete a certain hand-washing ritual, following a highly specified sequence.

Also the prayer is very special. You stand in line. Pray. Then toss a coin. Clap your hands firmly twice. Pray. And that’s it. It’s fascinating how accurate Japanese are!

If you like, you can hang wooden boards with your personal wishes on a tree. And some of the messages on the other boards are just touching.

Getting married at a Shinto shrine

For an emotional memory on top, there were several original Shinto weddings that took place on site – and brides as well as wedding guests looked so beautiful, I would have loved to throw myself into a kimono right there and then.

Meiji Jing Gyoen – the Japanese garden

If you come from the direction of Harajuku to the Meiji Shrine, you should definitely visit the Meiji Jing Gyoen, a separate garden in the middle of the park. There’s an admission fee, but the sheer silence is so worth it. It’s hard to believe you’re in the middle of a huge metropolis.

The sake barrels at the Meiji Shrine

Also near the entrance to the garden is a huge wall of sake barrels – all are donations that are supposed to bring good luck. And to visitors it’s an amazing photo op!

The Shibuya district of Tokyo is home to one of the most fascinating intersections in the world. As if everything else in Tokyo wasn’t fascinating enough. There are flashes and lights everywhere, the Japanese are equally crazy about crazy things and then again try not to stand out in the crowd. But everyone probably thinks of this large intersection in Shibuya, which millions of people cross every day.

Shibuya intersection: probably the craziest intersection in the world

Tokyo doesn’t really have a city center. Nevertheless, the famous intersection in front of Shibuya Station feels like the epicenter of Tokyo. Many other tourists think the same and climb on flower boxes for a better photo perspective or try to get one of the window seats in the Starbucks on the second floor of a corner building, from where you have the perfect overhead view of the most blatant intersection in Tokyo, if not the world. (By the way: if you’re short on time, don’t even try the window seat at Starbucks).

Do you want to stay overnight directly in Shibuya?
Find a hotel in Shibuya here!

Up to 15,000 people cross this intersection in Tokyo every traffic light phase

It all sounds ridiculous, but I also walked back and forth across the intersection a few times. Because Japanese people are simply fascinating. As if choreographed, everyone sets off at the green light, quickly but not frantically. Even diagonally, because the intersection is a so-called all-way intersection with diagonal crossings. Despite the crowds, there is no shoving, no jostling, no annoyance. Everything flows. None of the drivers honk or tailgate. And on red? The entire street is suddenly clear of pedestrians again, and cars whizz gently across the intersection. The Japanese are simply elegant.

Where is the famous intersection in Tokyo?

You will find the intersection between the west side of Shibuya Station and the end of the equally exciting shopping street Center-Gai. This shopping street is also one of the most popular in Tokyo!

Hachiko – the most famous dog in Japan

Shibuya station is just as gigantic, hundreds of train tracks on several levels, a veritable labyrinth. You should take a look at it. Like the dog Hachiko, a bronze statue that watches over the station forecourt. In the 1930s, Hachiko used to pick up his master from the train station until he died. However, Hachiko continued to come to the station every day for over ten years. True love for dogs.

My tips for Shibuya

Shopping in Shibuya

The most ingenious products come from Japan in all areas – as a big paper fan, for example, I stocked up on around twenty kilos of stationery. You won’t find such beautiful, high-quality paper anywhere else. And I’ve developed a real soft spot for 100-yen stores (100 yen is about 85 cents) in Tokyo, which stock pretty much everything you don’t need – but for 100 yen, and then from Japan, then again, absolutely. I could probably have spent days in Tokyo’s temples of consumption if it hadn’t been for my usual mission: to see Tokyo. In 24 hours.

Tokyu Hands – a huge department store, more for furnishings and handicrafts, but worth a visit for its size and huge range alone!
Daiso – one of those bric-a-brac stores where you can always find something. There are also branches in many other parts of Tokyo. The largest branch is in Harajuku.
Can Do – also a bric-a-brac chain with many Japanese products at a low price. Here too, quality is often better than you think!

Nightlife in Shibuya

A day in Tokyo can be very exhausting! All the impressions, the many people, the many colors – but Tokyo is just as worth seeing at night. If you don’t have the capacity to take care of the evening program on your own, you can join an organized bar-hopping tour through Shibuya:

➜ Bar hopping through Shibuya*

Other sights in Shibuya:
Nearby (15-20 minutes on foot or one stop further to Harajuku Station) is Yoyogi Park with the Meiji Shrine!
➜ More about the Meiji Shrine in Tokyo