Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Tour Report of Meiji Shrine and Harajuku on October 6, 2024; Doll Appreciation Ceremony

Meiji Shrine and Harajuku

Thank you for choosing our Meiji Shrine and Harajuku tour on October 6, 2024. We welcomed 23 guests from US, Australia, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Macedonia, Brazil, UK and Argentina. I hope all of you enjoyed and shared interesting conversations with us during the tour. As promised, group photos and snapshots are attached to remember the fun times we had.

Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E

We came across the Doll Appreciation Ceremony. In Japan, there is a tradition of believing that “dolls have souls,” and people cherish them with care. This belief continues to live on in the hearts of people today. The “Doll Appreciation Ceremony” is a festival where, on behalf of those who cannot bring themselves to discard old or broken dolls, the dolls’ souls are purified, and gratitude is offered as they are laid to rest. The “Meiji Shrine Doll Appreciation Ceremony” was first held in 1989, cherishing the spirit of “fun, kindness, and beauty” as a festival to lay dolls to rest. Today, it has become an annual autumn event and a well-established tradition, symbolizing Tokyo’s autumn season.

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(Posted by Yutaka)