Meiji Jingu Opening Hours Today & Entrance Fee 2026 – Complete Guide

Introduction to Meiji Jingu Shrine

If you only visit one shrine in Tokyo, make it Meiji Jingu. Tucked beside the busy streets of Harajuku, this Shinto shrine sits inside a forest of roughly 100,000 trees that muffles the city noise the moment you pass through the torii gate.

Timing matters here. The shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset, so its opening hours change every month, giving you a very different window in summer than in winter.

Is Meiji Jingu free? Yes, entry to the main shrine grounds is completely free. Only the Inner Garden and the museum charge a small fee.

Below you'll find the month-by-month opening and closing times (check the current month's row for today's hours), the Inner Garden and museum timings, entrance fees, and essential tips for planning your visit.

What Time Does Meiji Jingu Open and Close?

Meiji Jingu is open every day of the year, with opening and closing times changing from month to month based on sunrise and sunset. In summer, the shrine opens as early as 5:00 am and closes as late as 6:30 pm in June. In winter, it opens around 6:40 am and closes as early as 4:00 pm in December.

The closing time becomes earlier in autumn, reaching 4:40 pm in October and 4:10 pm in November. To find today's closing time, simply check the current month's row in the table below. For a quieter visit, arriving shortly after opening can be a good option.

Times are based on the official Meiji Jingu website. Some facilities within the shrine grounds, including the Inner Garden and museum, have separate visiting hours.

Meiji Jingu Entrance Fee 2026

Is Meiji Jingu Free?

Yes, Meiji Jingu is free. There is no admission fee for the shrine grounds, including the main hall, the torii gates, and the forest paths. Only a few areas inside the grounds charge a separate fee, listed below.

Inner Garden Entrance Fee (¥500)

The Inner Garden (Gyoen) is a separate paid area within the grounds and requires a ¥500 maintenance contribution. It is best known for its iris garden, which blooms in mid-June, as well as Kiyomasa's Well and its quiet ponds and greenery.

The garden is generally open from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm (until 4:00 pm from November to February), with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Hours are extended in mid-June during the iris season.

Meiji Jingu Museum Entrance Fee (¥1,000)

The Meiji Jingu Museum has its own admission fee. Adults pay ¥1,000, and high school students and younger visitors pay ¥900. Children below elementary school age enter free.

The museum is open from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, with last admission at 4:00 pm. It is closed on Thursdays (except when Thursday is a national holiday) and between exhibitions.

Meiji Jingu Goshuin Fee (¥500)

A goshuin is a shrine seal that records your visit. At Meiji Jingu the fee is ¥500, and it's best to carry cash. You can either have it hand-written in your own goshuincho (stamp book) or receive a pre-written paper goshuin. Goshuincho are also sold at the shrine, with prices varying by design.

How Long to Spend at Meiji Jingu (Visit Duration Guide)

Short Visit (1–2 Hours): Shrine and Forest Path

If you are wondering how long to spend at Meiji Jingu and are short on time, one to two hours is enough to see the main highlights. Pass through the Otorii, one of Japan's largest wooden torii gates, then follow the forested gravel path to the main shrine, which typically takes around 10 minutes. There, you can pray and, if you like, collect a Goshuin.

Full Visit (2–3 Hours): Shrine, Inner Garden and Museum

To explore more of the complex, plan on two to three hours. The Inner Garden (Gyoen) and Kiyomasa's Well can add around 30 to 45 minutes, while the Meiji Jingu Museum requires additional time. If you plan to visit the museum, start early enough to arrive before its 4:00 pm last admission. If you happen to see a traditional Shinto wedding procession, watch respectfully from a distance and allow a few extra minutes.

Meiji Jingu Half-Day Itinerary (Step-by-Step Plan)

A half-day is enough to see the main sights at Meiji Jingu and still have time to explore nearby Harajuku or Yoyogi Park. The schedule below is flexible, so adjust the start time according to the shrine's opening hours for your travel dates. In summer, the shrine opens as early as 5:00 am, so you can start earlier.

Morning Itinerary (8:00 AM to 12:00 PM)

• 8:00 AM – Arrive at Harajuku Station: Take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station. The entrance to Meiji Jingu is about a 1-minute walk from the station. From there, allow at least another 10 minutes to reach the Main Shrine through the forested approach.
• 8:10 AM – Walk through the Otorii: Pass through the Otorii and follow the gravel path through the forest. Take your time along the approach rather than rushing straight to the Main Shrine.
• 8:25 AM – Visit the Main Shrine: Spend some time at the Main Shrine and follow the usual Shinto prayer etiquette explained in the etiquette section of this guide.
• 9:00 AM – Get a goshuin: The goshuin counter near the Main Shrine typically opens at 9:00 am. A goshuin costs ¥500, and the counter does not accept credit cards, so carry some cash.
• 9:20 AM – Explore the Inner Garden: Enter the Inner Garden (Gyoen), which has a separate ¥500 admission fee. Kiyomasa's Well is located here, and the garden's iris display is typically at its best around mid-June.
• 10:15 AM – Visit the Meiji Jingu Museum (optional): The museum opens at 10:00 am and is closed on Thursdays and between exhibitions. Admission is ¥1,000 for adults, with last admission at 4:00 pm. Allow about 30 minutes to an hour for a visit.
• 11:15 AM – Continue to Yoyogi Park or Harajuku: After leaving the shrine, relax in Yoyogi Park or head toward Takeshita Street for shopping, cafés, and street food.

This schedule gives you enough time to explore the main shrine and its paid attractions without rushing. If you only want to see the Main Shrine and forested approach, you can finish in about 1 to 2 hours.

Extend Your Morning: Harajuku, Yoyogi Park and Shibuya

If you have extra time after visiting Meiji Jingu, you can continue to Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Omotesando, or Shibuya. These areas are easy to combine with a shrine visit and can extend your morning into an early-afternoon outing.

For detailed suggestions and things to do in these areas, see the Things to Do Near Meiji Jingu section of this guide.

Best Time to Visit Meiji Jingu

Best Time of Day to Visit Meiji Jingu (Morning vs. Afternoon)

A good time to go is early morning, especially on a weekday. Arriving soon after opening lets you walk through the forested approach before the shrine becomes busier later in the day. In summer, an early visit also helps you avoid the midday heat. Later in the day, visitor numbers can increase, particularly during busy travel periods.

Is Meiji Jingu Open on Sunday?

Yes, Meiji Jingu is open every day of the year, including Sundays. On weekends, arriving early is one of the easiest ways to avoid larger crowds. You may also see a traditional Shinto wedding procession during your visit, as weddings are held at the shrine throughout the year. Watch respectfully from a distance and avoid taking close-up photographs of people.

Meiji Jingu Seasonal Highlights: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

• Spring: The forest turns fresh and green, while the Inner Garden has seasonal flowers including azaleas.
• Summer: The Inner Garden's famous irises bloom around June, with the main display typically appearing in mid-June. The shrine also stays open until 6:30 pm in June, although early morning is more comfortable in hot weather.
• Autumn: Late autumn brings seasonal color, including Japanese maples in the Inner Garden. For the famous rows of yellow ginkgo trees, visit Meiji Jingu Gaien, which is a separate area from the shrine grounds.
• Winter: Hatsumode, the traditional first shrine visit of the New Year, brings very large crowds, particularly around New Year's Eve and January 1–3. Meiji Jingu remains open through the night from New Year's Eve into January 1. Outside the New Year period, winter days are short, with the shrine closing as early as 4:00 pm in December.

Meiji Jingu Opening Hours in October, November and March

If you are planning to visit during October, November, or March, the shrine's opening hours are:

Hours change from month to month because Meiji Jingu opens around sunrise and closes around sunset. Check the full opening-hours table earlier in this guide when planning your visit.

How to Get to Meiji Jingu (Harajuku, Shibuya, Meiji-jingumae)

Meiji Jingu is easy to reach by public transport, with several stations providing access to different entrances. Harajuku and Meiji-jingumae are convenient options for many visitors, while Yoyogi, Kita-sando, and Sangubashi stations provide access from other directions. Shibuya is not an entrance itself, but it is a common starting point.

Meiji Jingu Access from Harajuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)

Harajuku Station on the JR Yamanote Line is one of the most convenient access points. From the station, it is about a 1-minute walk to the Meiji Jingu entrance. From the entrance, however, it takes at least another 10 minutes on foot to reach the main shrine buildings through the forested approach. If you are coming from Shibuya or Shinjuku, Harajuku is a straightforward option on the JR Yamanote Line.

Meiji Jingu Access from Meiji-jingumae Station (Chiyoda & Fukutoshin Lines)

Meiji-jingumae Station is served by the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line and Fukutoshin Line and provides access from the same side of the shrine grounds as Harajuku. The Meiji Jingu Museum is also about a 5-minute walk from this station. This station is convenient if you are visiting the Harajuku and Omotesando area before or after Meiji Jingu.

Meiji Jingu Access from Shibuya Station

From Shibuya Station, one simple option is to take the JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station, then follow the directions above. You can also travel by taxi or walk, depending on traffic, weather, and how much of the surrounding area you want to explore.

Other Entrances: Yoyogi, Kita-sando and Sangubashi

Yoyogi and Kita-sando stations provide access from the north side of Meiji Jingu, while Sangubashi Station provides access from the west. These entrances are useful alternatives if you are approaching the shrine from those areas. From the shrine entrances, allow additional walking time to reach the main shrine buildings.

Meiji Jingu Gaien Opening Hours & Access (Important Distinction)

Meiji Jingu Gaien is separate from Meiji Jingu shrine. Gaien is known for attractions such as the famous Ginkgo Avenue and the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, but it is a different area with its own facilities and access points.

For Meiji Jingu Gaien, nearby stations include Gaiemmae Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Aoyama-itchome Station on the Ginza, Hanzomon, and Toei Oedo lines. Shinanomachi, Sendagaya, and National Stadium stations also provide access, depending on which part of Gaien you want to visit.

There is no single opening time for all of Meiji Jingu Gaien because individual facilities have their own operating hours. If you plan to visit a specific attraction, check its opening hours separately.

Top Highlights at Meiji Jingu

Meiji Jingu is more than a Shinto shrine: it combines Japanese history, traditional architecture, and a vast forest planted when the shrine was established. Here are the highlights worth seeing during your visit.

1. Otorii (Grand Torii Gate): One of the first sights on the approach is the Otorii, the largest wooden myojin-style torii in Japan. It stands 12 meters tall and marks the transition from the busy city into the forested shrine grounds. It is also a popular photo spot along the approach.
2. Meiji Jingu Main Shrine (Honden): The Main Shrine (Honden) is the heart of Meiji Jingu, where you can pay your respects to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. It is built in the nagare-zukuri style from Japanese cypress, with a copper roof. The present buildings were completed in 1958 after the original shrine buildings were destroyed during World War II, with the reconstruction funded through public donations.
3. Sake Barrels (Kazaridaru): Along the path to the Main Shrine, you will find a colorful display of decorative sake barrels (kazaridaru), donated by sake brewers across Japan as offerings to the enshrined spirits. Directly opposite are barrels of French Burgundy wine, reflecting the shrine's connection with both Japanese and Western traditions.
4. Meoto Kusu (Married Couple Camphor Trees): Near the Main Shrine stand two large camphor trees known as Meoto Kusu. The trees are connected by a sacred rope (shimenawa) and are associated with marital harmony, making them a popular stop for couples. Ema (wishing plaques) can be found on nearby racks.
5. Kiyomasa's Well: Kiyomasa's Well is located inside the Inner Garden (Gyoen), which requires a separate ¥500 entrance fee. The well is traditionally associated with the feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa and is often regarded as a spiritual "power spot." The garden is especially attractive in June, when its famous Iris Garden is in bloom.
6. Meiji Jingu Goshuin (Where to Get It): A goshuin is a shrine seal that records your visit. You can get one at the goshuin counter near the Main Shrine for ¥500. It can be hand-written in your own goshuincho (stamp book), or you can request a pre-written paper goshuin. Omamori (amulets) are also available for purchase. Payment is mainly by cash, so it is best to carry some with you.

Meiji Jingu Etiquette & Visitor Tips

Visiting a Shinto shrine calls for a basic understanding of local customs. Following proper etiquette helps ensure a respectful visit for you and everyone around you.

Meiji Jingu Shrine Etiquette: Bowing, Purification and Prayer

Before passing through a torii gate, pause and give a slight bow. The torii marks the boundary between the everyday world and the sacred shrine grounds. As you walk along the approach, keep to the sides rather than the center. Inside, keep your voice down, avoid disruptive behavior, and stay on the designated paths in the forest. Eating, drinking, and smoking are only allowed in designated areas, while running and sports are not permitted. Visitors should also avoid taking plants, flowers, branches, nuts, or other living things into or out of the forest.

Before approaching the Main Shrine (Honden), purify yourself at the temizuya (purification pavilion). Use the ladle to rinse your left hand, then your right hand. Pour a little water into your cupped hand to rinse your mouth without touching the ladle to your lips, then rinse your left hand again. If the pavilion has posted instructions, follow those directions.

At the Main Shrine, you may place some coins in the offering box before praying. The traditional procedure is to bow twice, clap twice, pray quietly, and bow once more.

Photography Rules at Meiji Jingu

Photography is generally allowed across the shrine grounds, including the torii gates, sake barrels, and forest, but there are a few important restrictions:

• Do not take photos or videos at the Main Shrine where people are praying, and refrain from photographing the amulet office.
• Avoid close-up photos of worshippers, priests, or shrine maidens.
• Drones are prohibited on the shrine grounds.
• Do not take promotional photographs or videos without permission.
• Do not stray from designated paths or enter restricted areas while taking photographs.

Quick Tips for Visiting Meiji Jingu

• Wear comfortable shoes: From the shrine entrance, it takes at least another 10 minutes to reach the Main Shrine buildings, with much of the approach passing through the forest.
• Arrive early: An early visit is a good way to enjoy the forested approach before the grounds become busier.
• Bring water in summer: Much of the approach is shaded, but Tokyo's summer weather can still be hot and humid.
• Carry some cash: The goshuin counter and amulet office do not accept credit cards, so bring some Japanese yen if you plan to buy a goshuin, omamori, or ema.
• Leave bikes outside: Motorcycles and bicycles are not allowed in the shrine grounds and should be left in the parking area at the entrance.
• Watch weddings respectfully: You may see a traditional Shinto wedding procession during your visit. Stand back, keep the path clear, and let it pass without disruption.

Things to Do Near Meiji Jingu

After exploring the shrine, you can easily continue your day around Harajuku, Yoyogi, Omotesando, and Shibuya. From lively shopping streets to green spaces and seasonal attractions, here are some of the best things to do near Meiji Jingu.

Explore Harajuku & Takeshita Street

Just outside the shrine grounds, Harajuku is known for its youth culture, fashion, shops, and street food. Takeshita Street is lined with trendy boutiques, vintage stores, cafés, and colorful food stalls, with popular treats such as crepes and taiyaki.

It is a lively contrast to the quiet forest of Meiji Jingu and an easy place to explore before or after visiting the shrine.

Relax at Yoyogi Park

Yoyogi Park sits next to Meiji Jingu and is one of Tokyo's well-known urban green spaces. Unlike the shrine's forested grounds, the park has open lawns and walking paths where visitors can relax, have a picnic, or spend some time outdoors.

In spring, usually from late March to early April, the park is also a popular place to enjoy cherry blossoms. It is a perfect spot to unwind after your visit to the shrine.

Visit Shibuya Crossing & Omotesando

Shibuya Crossing is one of Tokyo's most famous pedestrian crossings and is just one stop from Harajuku on the JR Yamanote Line. After crossing, you can explore the surrounding shopping streets, cafés, and landmarks around Shibuya Station.

Closer to Harajuku, Omotesando is known for its tree-lined avenue, architecture, luxury boutiques, and fashionable cafés. Both areas are easy to combine with a visit to Meiji Jingu, thanks to the convenient access from Shibuya.

Meiji Jingu Gaien & Ginkgo Avenue

Meiji Jingu Gaien is a separate area from the main shrine grounds and is known for Ginkgo Avenue, the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery, and various sports facilities.

The ginkgo-lined avenue stretches for roughly 300 meters, and the trees typically turn bright yellow from mid-November to early December, although the exact timing varies each year. It is a popular autumn spot in Tokyo.

There is no single opening time for all of Meiji Jingu Gaien because individual facilities have their own operating hours. For accurate Meiji Jingu Gaien opening hours, check the specific attraction you plan to visit before going.

Conclusion

Meiji Jingu is one of Tokyo's best-known Shinto shrines, surrounded by a large forest that offers a quiet break from the city's busy streets. Knowing the opening hours and entrance fees in advance can make it easier to plan your visit.

To summarize:

• The main shrine grounds are free to enter.
• The Inner Garden costs ¥500, while the Meiji Jingu Museum costs ¥1,000 for adults.
• Opening and closing times generally follow sunrise and sunset, so they change each month, from roughly 5:00 am to 6:30 pm in summer and 6:40 am to 4:00 pm in winter.
• Plan for one to two hours for the shrine and forest, and two to three hours if you add the Inner Garden and museum.
• Arriving early on a weekday is a good option if you prefer a quieter visit.
• A goshuin costs ¥500 and can be obtained near the Main Shrine.

Take time to walk through the forested approach, visit the Main Shrine, and explore the surrounding areas of Harajuku and Yoyogi if your schedule allows.

Planning a trip to Tokyo? Explore our Tokyo Private Tour Packages or consider a Meiji Jingu Tour with Karvaan Tours for a convenient way to include the shrine in your Tokyo itinerary.