Video Narration Script

As you enter Meiji Jingu Shrine,
it’s easy to get the feeling that
you’ve suddenly been transported
from the heart of Tokyo to
another location in rural Japan.

The forest surrounding the Shrine
includes approximately 120,000 trees
of 365 species that covers
700,000 square meters.

This display of sake kegs is for
acknowledgment to the companies
that provided sake for the
New Year purification ritual.

This type of arch is called a “torii.”
The “O Torii” is the largest wooden
torii of the Myojin style in Japan.
It is 12 meters high and has a
maximum width of 17 meters.

According to the customs
of the Shinto religion, you use
the ladle to rinse your hands and
mouth for purification
before entering the shrine.

Meiji Jingu Shrine was built
to commemorate the Emperor Meiji,
who died in 1912 and
the Empress Shoken,
who died in 1914.

Air raids during World War II
destroyed the original shrine
which had been completed in
November 1920.
The present shrine was
completed in November 1958.

Meiji Jingu Gyoen occupies
an area of land that used to be
the residential property of
two well known daimyo families.
A daimyo is a Japanese feudal lord.

Kakuun Tei is the name given
to this tea house that was built
by order of the Emperor Meiji
for Empress Shoken in the year 1900.
As with Meiji Jingu Shrine,
the original building was destroyed
in World War II and reconstructed in 1958.

This fishing pier was originally built
by order of Emeror Meiji and
was frequently used by
Empress Shoken who enjoyed fishing.

A special feature of Meiji Jingu Gyoen
is the Iris Garden, which was built
according to Emperor Meiji’s own design.
The flowers are in bloom
during the month of June.

The Kiyomasa Ido is the source
of water for the South Pond.
It provides a steady flow of
pure, fresh water all year long.