Meiji Jingu

One of the things I love about Tokyo is the parks. They are beautiful and plentiful. It's a little chunk of peace in a very busy city. The Meiji Jingu Shinto Shrine is tucked away in a breath-taking piece of Yoyogi park. The first thing you come across is the Torii gate, which marks the transition to the sacred area. Then you walk through the forest of 100,000 trees, which were planted during the shrine's construction.

     The Meiji Shrine was built and dedicated to the Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. There were quite a few people here. I read during the beginning of the year over 3 million people visit the shrine to offer their first prayers of the year.

     We were lucky enough to witness a traditional Shinto Wedding while we were here. (Sorry no pics, seemed a little rude to post someone else's wedding pictures.) It was very beautiful and the clothing was sublime. I am just in awe of the kimono here.

     Our main goal in visiting this site was for a family picture for the in-laws. Let me tell you how inept people are at taking you photo. Makes me not feel bad for all the terrible ones I have taken for fellow travelers over the years. It didn't help that our kids were incapable of smiling normal. Not to mention I was suffering from the flu. O'well this is us a little disheveled and only half focused on what is going on.