Harajuku is not all modern fashion and pop culture. In a nearby park is the Meiji Shrine (明治神宮, Meiji Jingū), a large Shinto shrine for one fairly recent Japanese emperor that the Japanese respect for bringing Japan out of the dark ages into modern times.
Facts about Meiji Jingu:
Enshrined deities: souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken
Foundation: November 1, 1920
Area: 700,000 m2 (inner precinct)
Forest: 170,000 trees of 245 species (as of 2008)
It’s a beautiful park, laid at a very centric area of Tokyo.
At the entrance to most Shinto shrines, is a drinking fountain worshipers drink from before entering.
Aside from the park and the temple, the main attraction of the place would be the very traditional wedding ceremonies taking place. I caught two.
I love the clothing, the formality, the ceremony. If it wasn’t for all the tourist walking around it would look like it’s from a different long forgotten world.
A worth-while escape from urban Tokyo with a glimpse into the more traditional Japan.