Highlights
- Open all night from New Year's Eve into New Year's Day (previous official notice)
- Prayers from 0:00 on Jan 1; several million visitors from Dec 31 to Jan 3
- Walk under one of Japan's largest wooden torii through a forest of about 100,000 donated trees
- Calmest right after the 6:40 opening on Jan 2–3
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.
Meiji Jingu (1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya, Tokyo) does not close on New Year's Eve: you can pray through the night into New Year's Day, which is open from 0:00. Entry is free. The nearest stations are JR Harajuku and Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku> — 1 minute on foot to the Harajuku (south) entrance — and cars cannot enter the grounds on January 1–3, so go by train. The shrine has not yet published its hours for the 2026–27 New Year (checked 2026-10-13), so the times below are from the previous (2025–26) official announcement.
At a glance (previous 2025–26 official announcement)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dec 31 → Jan 1 | Open all night — the shrine does not close for the turn of the year |
| Jan 1 | 0:00–18:30 |
| Jan 2 & 3 | 6:40–18:00 |
| Jan 4 | 6:40–17:30 |
| Jan 5 onward | 6:40–16:20 (regular January hours) |
| Busiest times | Dec 31 22:00 – Jan 1 3:00, and after 10:00 on Jan 1–3 (official) |
| Admission | Free |
| Access | Harajuku (south) entrance: JR Harajuku / Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku>, 1 min · Yoyogi (north): JR/Toei Yoyogi, Kita-sando (Fukutoshin Line), 5 min · Sangubashi (west): Odakyu Sangubashi, 5 min |
| Cars | No vehicle entry on Jan 1–3; from Jan 5, Yoyogi (north) gate only |
Note: the dates on this page (Dec 31 – Jan 3) follow New Year's Eve and the first three days of the year; they are not an event period announced by the shrine. The shrine says hours may change depending on conditions.
2026–27: not announced yet
The shrine's New Year page (official, Japanese) still shows the 2025–26 edition as of 2026-10-13; the 2026–27 hours and traffic notes are not out yet. We will update this page when they are. The shrine posts urgent notices on its "Latest news" page.
Opening hours — what happened last time
Meiji Jingu opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so its hours change every month; January's regular hours are 6:40–16:20 (official "Opening hours"). Over New Year the hours are extended: last time the shrine stayed open through the night of Dec 31, was open 0:00–18:30 on Jan 1, 6:40–18:00 on Jan 2 and 3, and 6:40–17:30 on Jan 4. Some travel sites list 18:30 for Jan 2–3, so check the official page before you go.
When it is crowded — and when it is not
The shrine says that "every year, 22:00 on New Year's Eve to 3:00 on New Year's Day, and the time after 10:00 during the first three days, are crowded," and asks visitors to spread out their visits. The Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau (GO TOKYO) says several million people visit between New Year's Eve and January 3. If you do not need to be there at midnight, the early morning of Jan 2 or 3 (from 6:40) is the calmer choice. Each entrance is about a 10-minute walk from the main shrine, so allow for that on top of any queue.
Getting there — which entrance
- Harajuku entrance (south): 1 min from JR Yamanote Line Harajuku Station and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda/Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku> Station.
- Yoyogi entrance (north): 5 min from JR Yamanote / Toei Oedo Line Yoyogi Station and Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line Kita-sando Station.
- Sangubashi entrance (west): 5 min from Odakyu Line Sangubashi Station.
- By car: no vehicles can enter the grounds on Jan 1–3; from Jan 5 cars enter only via the Yoyogi (north) gate. Roads around the shrine have traffic restrictions during the New Year period, so use public transport.
After you pray
Old ofuda talismans and omamori charms can be returned at the shrine's return point (ofuda, omamori, arrows and ema only — not dolls, home altars, kumade rakes or New Year decorations). The shrine's "Visiting" page (Japanese) illustrates how to purify your hands at the water basin and how to pray (bow twice, clap twice, bow once).
For New Year visits elsewhere, see Fushimi Inari hatsumode and Sumiyoshi Taisha hatsumode.
Checked 2026-10-13. Sources: Meiji Jingu official New Year page, "Opening hours", "Access"; GO TOKYO (Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau).
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- Harajuku (south) entrance: 1 min from JR Yamanote Line Harajuku and Tokyo Metro Chiyoda/Fukutoshin Line Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku>. Yoyogi (north): 5 min from JR/Toei Oedo Line Yoyogi and Fukutoshin Line Kita-sando. Sangubashi (west): 5 min from Odakyu Line Sangubashi. No vehicles in the grounds on Jan 1–3 — take the train. 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
Good to know
The shrine says the busiest times are Dec 31 22:00 – Jan 1 3:00 and after 10:00 on Jan 1–3, so go right after the 6:40 opening on Jan 2 or 3. Allow about 10 minutes' walk from any entrance to the main shrine. No cars inside the grounds on Jan 1–3 (from Jan 5, Yoyogi gate only). 2026–27 hours not announced as of 2026-10-13 — check the official New Year page (https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/hatsumoude/, Japanese) before you go.
Frequently asked questions
- What are Meiji Jingu's New Year 2027 (2026–27) hours?
- In the previous (2025–26) official announcement, the shrine stayed open through the night from New Year's Eve into New Year's Day; Jan 1 was 0:00–18:30, Jan 2–3 was 6:40–18:00, Jan 4 was 6:40–17:30 and from Jan 5 it was 6:40–16:20. The 2026–27 hours are not published yet (checked 2026-10-13) — check the official New Year page: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/hatsumoude/ (Japanese).
- Is Meiji Shrine open all night on New Year's Eve?
- Yes. Last time the shrine said worshippers can visit through the night from Dec 31 to Jan 1 and that it does not close for the turn of the year; GO TOKYO also lists Dec 31 as open all night. Around midnight is the most crowded time.
- When is Meiji Jingu least crowded at New Year?
- The shrine says the busiest times every year are 22:00 on Dec 31 to 3:00 on Jan 1, and after 10:00 on Jan 1–3. For a calmer visit, go early on Jan 2 or 3, right after the 6:40 opening. Allow about 10 minutes' walk from any entrance to the main shrine.
- Can I drive to Meiji Jingu for hatsumode?
- Not on Jan 1–3: vehicles cannot enter the grounds. From Jan 5, cars can enter only through the Yoyogi (north) gate. Roads around the shrine have traffic restrictions during the New Year period, so take the train.
- Which station and entrance should I use?
- There are three entrances. Harajuku (south): 1 min from JR Harajuku and Tokyo Metro Meiji-jingumae <Harajuku>. Yoyogi (north): 5 min from JR/Toei Oedo Line Yoyogi and Fukutoshin Line Kita-sando. Sangubashi (west): 5 min from Odakyu Line Sangubashi.
- Is it free to visit Meiji Jingu at New Year?
- Yes, visiting and praying is free. Ofuda, omamori, omikuji and goshuin stamps are paid items.
Getting there
Meiji Jingu (Meiji Shrine) — 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo