Meiji Jingu Shrine and Harajuku Tour on 1 October 2023

Many thanks to the guests who joined the tour on that day.

We hosted 33 guests from Spain, USA, Romania, Australia, Israel, Sweden and Mexico. We appreciate great opportunities to communicate with wonderful people from all over the world. Although we’re already in October, the heat and humid air still persisted on the tour day.

As promised, group photos and snapshots are attached so that you can remember the fun moments we had together during the tour. 

During the tour, we happened to see the ceremony of dedication to the shrine in which group of people gathered and sang national anthem in the main pavilion stage, and later group photo was taken in front of the pavilion.

National Anthem they sang was “Kimigayo” in which long life of Emperor was wished like “God Save The King (or Queen) in U.K. The lyrics was actually quoted from ancient Japanese poem, Kokinwakashu but the concept of singing national anthem to show patriotism was imported from the West. National flag, Rising Sun is the same.

We describe Meiji Jingu Shrine as the place to tribute to late Meiji Emperor who reigned during Meiji Era (1868-1912). It was a time for Japan to transform from the feudal society to modern nation-state with monarchy and national assembly like the West in 19th century.

His role was to modernise Japan while retaining the tradition and unity. Having national anthem and flag, and making them common to all the people in Japan was part of his mission at that time and he succeeded.

That was quite an experience for our guests and guides like us. By joining us you can experience such moment, why not join us if you visit Tokyo.

To the guests who joined our tour,

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to higher-quality tours. Once again, thank you for choosing Tokyo Free Walking Tour
during your precious time in Tokyo. In case you happen to be back in Tokyo, please
join another one of our tours.

For more information about our tour, please visit our web site at

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Posted by MASA