YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --
Airmen living overseas are sitting on top of incredible opportunities that many of their friends and family will never have. That is, to explore the sights and culture of a foreign nation. The Meiji Shrine is one such jewel; beautiful and historical, the shrine is a destination for many Yokota Airmen.
"Outside its bustling urban jungle, but when you go passed the gate you feel something different," said Yasuo Osakabe, 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs photographer. "It's peaceful."
Meiji Shrine, or Meiji Jingu, sits like a secret in the heart of Tokyo. Searching for it can be an act of faith the first time, trusting that it takes a mere 10 minute walk through the busy metropolis from Harajuku Station and a forest will somehow appear. Up the street and around a corner, suddenly one can see trees. A towering, solid-cypress torii gate stands in front of a 100 year-old-forest, marking the border between the mundane and the sacred. Lanterns border the path, disappearing into the woods, and on a hot day a cool breeze may drift out.
There are several paths in the forest, but it's easy enough for a visitor to find their way to the main shrine. The trees quickly blot out the sounds of 21st century Japan, dissolving into bird chatter and humming insects. At the end of a corridor of trees stands the intricate Shinto structure, built in the Japanese architectural style called Nagarezukeui. The construction of sturdy cypress beams, skilled woodcraft, and blue-green copper shingles are meant to enshrine the spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken.
"Meiji rule was an epic time for Japanese people," Osakabe said. "Emperor Meiji stood up to develop his country in a time of need. Modernizing Japan changed the people's mindset changed 180 degrees, but Emperor Meji still preserved the culture. That's why people really respect him."
The Japanese had great regard for Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, who reigned from 1867 until 1912. The shrine was built according to Shinto tradition in commemoration after their death, and the forest surrounding the shrine is comprised of 100,000 shrubs and trees donated by the Japanese people. The 77 acres of outer gardens, where many people now go to relax, were also donated. The Meiji grounds span 175 acres, including the shrine, the forest, the gardens and several other commemorative buildings, all of which are worth visiting.
"Seeing Meiji Shrine was a very worthwhile experience," said Staff Sgt. Zackary Webb, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron electrical systems technician. "If you'd like to get a better feel for the Japanese culture, I highly recommend making the trip. It's one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Japan, with a peaceful forest path leading up to the shrine."
To pay respect at a Shinto shrine, visitors are asked to wash in the fountain outside the entrance in order to purify themselves. Rinse the left hand first, then the right. Pour water into the left hand to rinse the mouth, and then rinse the left hand again. Spitting, eating, and drinking except in designated areas is also disrespectful, as is provocative dress.
Within the shrine there is a main hall where visitors may pay respect by bowing twice, clapping hands twice to get the spirit's attention, and then bowing once again. There is also an offertory box for coins if desired.
"The wishing tree was an interesting experience," Webb said. "You can see prayers written in every language. Those are pieces of people's lives from all around the world."
The wishing tree is a prominent part of the shrine courtyard. A plump old tree stands surrounded on all sides by walls of prayers written on small wooden votives, or ema. Visitors can purchase ema at the booths outside the shrine for 550 yen.
The instructions by the tree read, "Faithfully enter on a votive tablet your pledges to deities, feelings of gratitude, requests, aspirations for the year and other heartfelt messages, and respectfully deposit the tablet on the proper rack."
In the morning, Shinto priests offer the prayers to the spirits of the emperor and empress.
Shintoism is an ancient religion originating in Japan. It has no gods, but follows a system of values and involves honoring spirits. However, Japanese people view the spiritual aspect of the shrine a little differently than they used to.
"Meiji Shrine is more of a cultural than a religious site now, because Shintoism doesn't affect people as much anymore, but some traditions are preserved," Osakabe said. "People go to shrines for weddings and every mother brings her children to pray for them when they turn three, five, and seven. Every New Year I go to pray for my cat's health. It isn't religion; it's culture. It's the traditions that are important."
Osakabe recommends that tourists visit during weekdays, when crowds are thinner. The site is very popular, especially on the weekends. Some parts of the site, such as the inner garden and treasure museum, have an entrance fee of 500 yen. The main shrine is free.
Meiji Shrine is open every day of the year, but since it opens and closes with sunset, the hours change every month. If interested in visited thing shrine, the open hours can be found at http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/map/4.html.
The easiest way to get to Meiji Shrine from Yokota is by train. From Fussa Station it takes about an hour and 10 minutes and costs roughly 700 yen. From Fussa, take the Ome line towards Tokyo and get off at Shinjuku. There, change to the Yamanote Line for a short ride counter clockwise, and got off at Harajuku station. There are other routes depending on the time of day, so, as always, it is easiest to use an app for navigation. Harajuku is the closest station to the main entrance, which has the most impressive torii gate.
By car the trip takes about two hours via to Chuo Expressway (one hour without traffic), and there are tolls. There is meter parking just off highway 413 south of Harajuku Station.
The Meiji Temple grounds were constructed as a testament to Emperor Meiji, and demonstrate the faithfulness and respect of the Japanese in the early 1900s. Today Meiji Shrine is a site valued by the Japanese people and tourists alike for its architecture, religious and cultural significance, history and beauty.