Meiji Shrine is one of the places I love visiting in Tokyo. Even with all the tourists and locals, it remains so quiet, so peaceful, and so lush.
The Shinto shrine was built in memory of Emperor Meiji and his wife Empress Shoken who were said to visit this garden frequently.
Torii or a traditional Japanese gate is said to mark the transition of a place from profane to sacred
It is lovely to walk through this forest lined with 120,000 trees of 365 different species donated
by people from all over Japan and overseas when the shrine was established in 1920
Traditional Shinto weddings are still held here. I was so lucky to have witnessed these solemn ceremonies each of the two times I visited the shrine.
One day it will be my turn. ;)
The wedding procession is led by two priests and two shrine maidens
The newlyweds walk under a red umbrella, followed by their family and friends
My favorite part of Meiji Shrine is this area where you write down your heart's prayers and wishes on wooden tablets called "ema" and hang them around the camphor tree.
I could stay here all day reading the tablets. So much honesty, gratitude,
hope and love in one place!
I wrote down my own prayers and wishes but there's no way I'm going to share them here! :P
I hope that I will get good marks for PSLE and go to a good school!!! :)
May we be happy (& rich & healthy) together always!
I love this one: With gratitude for this most beautiful life we are so lucky to live. For my father,
may he be in good health and happy during these years that he has so looked forward to.
May he walk me down the aisle and know my Jimmy. May they see themselves in each other
the way I do. Today & Always.
Umm… Ano daw???
Just next to Meiji Shrine is Yoyogi Park. You MUST come here on a Sunday!!!
Look at all the dancing Elvis Presleys, French maids, superheroes, video games and manga characters, school girls, sexy ladies, vampire brides...
Welcome to the wackiness that is Japan!
I can imagine it must have been traumatic for these Janes and Joes :P
FREE HUGS!!!
The girl looked really freaky (and hungry) like she was gonna eat me alive!
So I got my free embrace from her partner who didn't look at me like I was a newly roasted lechon :P
The park is bustling with activities
Yet it is also so serene
People and pets come here to relax
And cuddle
And just share quiet moments with each other
There is live music
People dancing
Queer people dancing
Dog showing off his skateboarding skills! Whoa!
And then it's eating time!
Yakiniku rice burger
Omelette with fried noodles
I found a quiet spot
With amazing view and colors
And started stuffing my face. I love Japanese carbs!!!
