Last Post: The Meiji Shrine & Gardens

For our last full day in Japan we chose to visit one of the must see historic places in Tokyo. This is the Meiji Jingu, a shrine of national prayer for peace and prosperity. According to the sign as we entered, it “was built as a result of combined efforts of all the Japanese to commemorate Emperor Meiji’s virtues” - and those of his consort Empress Shoken. It was established on 1st November 1920. The Emperor and Empress were heavily involved in the modernisation of Japan after 1868. They adopted western dress, drank wine and advocated education. They also advocated gentleness and piety. They both visited this place when it became an imperial park, and were involved in its creation. What is amazing is that since was created, the forest now looks and functions as a naturally occurring forest where endangered species now live.
A beautiful way to end this amazing journey to Japan.

On Meiji Jingu Garden from the sign in the park: “This Garden was originally a part of compounds of a daimyo yashiki (a feudal lord's mansion) owned by the lis. Since the beginning of the Meiji Era (1868~) it became the Imperial estate and was put improvements into by the order of His Majesty the Emperor Meiji. Her Majesty the Empress Shöken as well as His Majesty frequented this historic place. It spreads 83,000 square metres …”Lue lisää