Hello, I'm Andrew Marston, and this is Tour Japan
the show where I tell you about a place in Japan and then we go there.
Today, we're headed to Meiji Shrine in western Tokyo.
This is one of the most famous and most visited shrines in all Japan.
It's dedicated to its namesake Emperor Meiji, and his wife Empress Shoken.
If you haven't heard of Emperor Meiji before, let me take 30 seconds to fill you in.
If there was an all-star team of historical Japanese leaders
Emperor Meiji would probably be in the starting line-up.
When he took up post as emperor in 1867, Japan was a feaudal nation primarily focused on agriculture
and by the time his rule ended in 1912, Japan had gotten rid of feudalism
and become a modernized industrial world power.
So, you could say he's a pretty important guy.
But back to the Meiji Shrine.
At the main shrine complex, you can do most of the typical Japan shrine-y things
like buying charms, tying up prayers, and if you're lucky
you may even catch a traditional Japanese wedding procession.
But the grounds aren't limited to just this shrine complex
if you're looking a nice walk in the middle of Tokyo through magical forested paths
then this is my number one recommendation.
Especially in June when the iris garden is in full bloom. (yay for unintentional rhyming!)
So now that we know a little bit about it, let's head to Meiji Shrine and see it for ourselves.
Hopefully now you feel a little more informed about Meiji Shrine and what it's like to visit.
Like I said before, this is one of my top spots to take a walk in Tokyo
and I would like to your favorite places to take a walk in Japan so let me know in the comments.
Thanks for watching, I'm Andrew Marston. See you next time.
You've been watching Tour Japan on the Happy in Japan channel.
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...today we're headed to...
...Meiji Shrine.
(offset) *laughter*