Meiji Jingu Shrine

(Top Row L-R: A wish and token offering I made; Temizusha - a small stone basin where ablutions are to be done before prayers could be made at the shrine; One of the pretty light structures that are frequently found in the park)
(Centre: Barrels of Sake)
(Bottom Row L-R: One of the many wedding processions that took place today; The main gate to the Shrine - made of best quality Japanese cypress trees kiso and in the unique Japanese shrine architectural style called Nagarezukuri; Barrels of wine that were consecrated for the Emperor Meiji; the Shrine building)

Isabel and I visited the Meiji Jingu (明治神宮) Shrine today since Asakusa was quite far and we left the dorm pretty late.

The Meiji Jingu shrine is centrally located - just behind Harajuku Station - and it covers almost 175 acres. The deities enshrined here are the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Emperor Meiji is highly revered for his benign rule from 1868 to 1912. Also known as the Meiji Restoration, this is one of the most glorious and properous periods in Japan's history. The shrine is a popular place for wedding couples to get their blessings and photos, as evident by the never-ending processions today. Sadly didn't get to stroll through the very beautiful Yoyogi Park since it was getting dark already (sun starts setting about 5pm here).

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After which, we popped by Harajuku for dinner (udon!) and decided to walk back from Harajuku to our dorm! We did pretty fine all the way up till Shinjuku, which was then very messy and disorienting with the amazing horde of people and bright lights, but we did arrive back eventually. 2 hours odd later anyway, including a stop at a really cheap grocer place. Saved 190yen but more importantly, got to experience Tokyo in a different (and many) way(s): The bright lights and amazing vibrancy of Shinjuku versus the slightly subtler tones of Harajuku and the colourful lights of Kabukicho to the quieter roads enroute to Shinjuku; the small Korea town and alleys of Korean restaurants at Shin-Okubo and the dots of halal restaurants/places in between.