First Temple Visit 2012: Meiji Jingu

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It’s an old Japanese tradition to visit a Shinto shrine in the first days of the new year to shake off the bad happenings of the previous year, and usher in good blessings for the year to come.

Since I moved to the Tokyo metropolis area, I really don’t know where my local shrine is around Hiyoshi (and if you know, then by all means comment below!) But since I had to go to Harajuku anyway, I convinced forced my friend Lizzie to come along with me to Meiji Jingu, the place where the Meiji Emperor is enshrined.

We braved the crowds, icy winds and a 1 hour wait time to pray for a better year at the historic Meiji Shrine.

first shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingufirst shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingufirst shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingufirst shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingufirst shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingufirst shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingufirst shrine visit 2012: Meiji Jingu

Q: What the heck IS Meiji Jingu anyway?!

A: Jeez…Wikipedia man… Here ya go:

Meiji Shrine – Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMeiji Shrine (明治神宮 Meiji Jingū?), located in Shibuya, Tokyo, is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken.[1][2] After the emperor’s death in 1912, the Japanese Diet passed a resolution to commemorate his role in the Meiji Restoration.

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Q: Thanx J… Uhh, how do I get there though?

A: You’re reading this on the ‘net and you didn’t think about just GOOGLING A MAP?! You’re pretty hopeless guy… But I’ll help you out just this once:

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