Formal Personal Prayer at Meiji Jingu

Here, I will guide you through the details of the torii's unique features, the displays of sake barrels and wine barrels nearby, as well as the waka poem prominently displayed at the front. It's a great spot for taking photos, so feel free to capture as many as you like. I'll be happy to assist you!

Along the way, I will teach you the proper etiquette for walking along the approach and passing through the torii gates. Many foreign tourists mistakenly perform these rituals incorrectly, which can come across as quite disrespectful. By learning the correct manners from us, you will gain the favor of the deities. I will also guide you through the waka poems and buildings we encounter along the way. Feel free to take photos at all these locations. I encourage you to capture great shots, and I'll be happy to assist you!

First, let's experience the same method of worship as the general public. Using the ritual of offering a coin, followed by two bows, two claps, and one final bow, you will express your gratitude to the deities. There are areas where photography is not allowed, and I will guide you accordingly.

Next, we will move to the Kagura Hall, where you can receive individual blessings. First, you will fill out an application form at the entrance. On the form, you’ll indicate your prayer intentions, such as world peace, household safety, travel safety, recovery from illness, business success, finding a good match, safe childbirth, or academic achievement, along with your address and name. Once completed, submit the form along with the offering fee (starting from 5,000 yen) to the shrine priest to complete the process. The forms are available only in Japanese, but we will assist you thoroughly to ensure everything is handled smoothly. Once registration is complete, you’ll wait in the lounge for the ceremony to begin. This lounge is also a beautiful space where you can fully appreciate traditional Japanese art.

Now, we proceed to the altar in the Kagura Hall, where the ceremony will take place. The sound of a drum resonates as shrine priests, dressed in traditional Japanese attire, use sacred tools to perform a purification ritual for us. This cleansing brings a sense of peace and fulfillment. Following the purification, traditional court music known as gagaku is performed, accompanied by a dance by shrine maidens (miko). Gagaku, a musical tradition played on elaborately decorated drums and flutes from ancient times, has been designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. The shrine maidens, adorned in traditional costumes, dance gracefully, creating an atmosphere of elegance. Watching this performance, you’ll feel as though you’ve become royalty in a grand palace.

After the ceremony concludes, the ritual is completed by receiving sacred offerings (shinsen) and drinking sacred sake (omiki). Shinsen refers to the offerings presented to the deities during the ceremony, which are later shared with participants as a souvenir. It is often in the form of nori (seaweed) and is meant to be enjoyed at home. Omiki is sacred sake offered to the deities, a portion of which is shared with participants. At the exit, you will receive a small cup, and a shrine maiden will pour the sake for you to drink on the spot. It is believed that items offered to the deities are imbued with spiritual power, and consuming these offerings is a way to pray for good health and protection from illness. This marks the end of the tour. While photography inside the Kagura Hall is strictly prohibited, you are free to take as many pictures as you like outside. Please feel free to ask for assistance—we’ll be happy to help!