Meiji Jingu Hatsumode — Japan's Most-Visited New Year Shrine
Roughly three million people stream through the towering torii to pray at Tokyo's grandest shrine in the first three days of the year.
When · Where
- When
- 2026/12/31 14:00 – 2027/01/03
- Where
- Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine)（1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo）
- City
- Tokyo
- Getting there
- By Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote) and Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro).
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Meiji Jingu Shrine Office
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- By Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote) and Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro). Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, families
Highlights
- Pass under Japan's largest wooden myojin torii gate
- New Year's Eve countdown as the gates open through the night
- Draw an omikuji and buy a hamaya arrow charm
Background & story
Founded in 1920, Meiji Jingu enshrines Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken amid a man-made forest of some 100,000 donated trees, and has been Japan's hatsumode capital for over a century.
Good to know
Avoid the 0:00–3:00 peak; arrive early on Jan 2 or 3 for a calmer worship.