Meiji Shrine in Tokyo

I feel blessed that I was able to revisit Japan recently. My friends and I went to the Meiji shrine in Tokyo which is located in Shibuya area.

The Meiji Shrine is the Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shoken.

What's nice about the place is that it is surrounded by a  lot of greenery and huge trees. You actually feel that you are transported to a nice forest while you are in the city as you enter the path leading to the shrine.

Locals and tourists enjoy walking to the Meiji Shrine.

 At the entrance area you will see barrels of sake wrapped in straw and wine barrels too.

Barrels of sake wrapped in straw. This is an offering from the Meiji
Sake brewers association in honor of the Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress  Shoken.

Barrels of wines from France symbolize the Emperor's appreciation and the
introduction of Western culture in Japan. Emperor Meiji has introduced
 Western food and paired it with wine from France.

The huge torii gates made from old cypress trees creates a grand entrance to the shrine.

The 40-foot torii gate at the entrance is made of
 a 1,500 year old cypress tree

The cleansing station where visitors wash their hands and mouth
before they enter the shrine to offer a prayer

The area where visitors hang their prayer offerings. Visitors may get the
 wooden tablet from the store.

Various wooden tablets with handwritten prayers written
in different languages by visitors

   

Charms that visitors may get as souvenirs or gifts

The vibe at the Meiji Shrine is certainly peaceful and calm. One can feel that the place is so serene amidst all the people in the area.