A shrine in a planted forest, then straight out into Tokyo's youngest, loudest street and its most elegant avenue.
Meiji Jingu sits in a forest of 100,000 trees planted in 1920, with a Shinto shrine to Emperor Meiji at its heart.
On the approach, a wall of decorated sake barrels, donated by brewers, faces a row of French wine casks. On Sunday mornings you may see wedding processions crossing the courtyard.
Leave by the Harajuku gate for Takeshita Street, with its crêpe stands and teen fashion. Then walk down Omotesando, lined with flagship stores by famous architects.
Finish in the back lanes of Ura-Harajuku and along Cat Street towards Shibuya. In mid-June the shrine's Inner Garden irises are worth the ¥500.
About 4 km at an easy pace.
Walk under the giant wooden gate into the forest.
Pass the barrel walls on the gravel path.
Bow, clap twice and bow again; watch for weddings.
Push through the crowds of the teen fashion street.
Down the avenue, then through Ura-Harajuku towards Shibuya.
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JR Harajuku or Meiji-jingumae subway, a minute from the gate.
The shrine opens at sunrise and closes at sunset; times vary by month.
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons and Pexels under their licences.
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