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The Meiji Shrine is devoted to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his accord, Empress Shoken. It is common in Shinto to enshrine the dared spirits of significant personalities. Getting to Meiji Jingu Shrine This shrine is a few steps from the Harajuku Station which is served by JR Yamanote Line. You can also come here from the Meiji-jingu-mae Station on the Subway Chiyoda Line. So getting here is not at all difficult. History Emperor Meji was born in 1852. He was the first emperor of modern Japan. He ascended the throne in 1868 at the peak of the Meiji Restoration. It was during this time that the power changed hands from the feudal Tokugawa government to the emperor. A new phase of change began in Japan from this time. He modernized and westernized Japan. This resulted in the recognition of Japan with the world's major powers. Empress Meiji died in 1912 while Empress Shoken died in 1914. After the death of the both of them, this shrine was built to venerate them. On 1st November, 1920, their souls were enshrined. Though the original shrine was destroyed during the First World War, it was reconstructed. The new shrine was completed in October, 1958. About the Shrine The Shrine was originally built in 1920. But during the World War II it was destroyed. It was reconstructed in 1958. The shrine is situated in a wooded park area next to Yoyogi Park in Tokyo. The shrine grounds houses two areas: - Naien is the inner precinct/garden, which revolved around the shrine buildings. It consists of a treasure museum that houses articles of the Emperor and Empress enshrined here. This treasure museum is constructed in the Azekurazukuri style. - Gaien is the outer precinct or garden. It includes the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery that consists of an assemblage of 80 large murals. These murals portray the events in the lives of the Emperor and his consort. It also houses a variety of sports facilities, including the National Stadium, and is seen as the center of Japanese sports. Not only this, it also includes the Meiji Memorial Hall, which was in the beginning used for governmental meetings, including discussions surrounding the drafting of the Meiji Constitution in the late 19th century. But today it is used for Shinto weddings. An evergreen forest of 120,000 trees of 365 different verities surrounds this area. These were donated by people from all parts of Japan when the shrine was grounded. Visitors come to this 700,000 square-meter forest (about 175 acres) both as a spiritual home of the people and as a refreshment and relaxation area in the heart of Tokyo. The garden area where the shrine is constructed was often frequented by Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. The shrine was established in the model of Nagarezukuri style. It is chiefly built up of Japanese cypress from Kiso. Pay a visit to this holy shrine in Tokyo, Japan. You are sure to fall in love with this shrine. The calm and poise environment of the shrine and garden will give you a much wanted relief from the maddening crowd.
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