japan, photography

Meiji

temizuya, a fountain at which you clean your hands and mouth, purifying your body as you enter the shrine

a large forest path within meiji jingu's grounds

a Shinto priest sitting quietly in meditation

newlyweds beginning the wedding procession

intricately carved wooden doorway into the main shrine courtyard

shinto wedding procession thorugh meiji jingu's courtyard entranceway

visitors in traditional garb enjoying the wedding ceremony

shinto ema, wooden plaques upon which prayers are written

meiji jingu wedding procession among the crowd

japan, photography

Red Parasol

Meiji Jingu is my favorite shrine in Tokyo. Located in Shibuya, right across the street from Harajuku, it offers 0.7 square kilometers (170 acres) of tranquil forest sanctuary in the middle of Tokyo’s dense urban metropolis.

Weekends are a popular time to visit for both tourists and locals, as the temple grounds provide a beautiful backdrop for traditional Shinto weddings. At frequent intervals, ceremonious marriage processions take place within the main courtyard, and interested visitors quickly swarm in for a gander.

Among the sea of people, a simple, red parasol becomes a diamond in the rough.

japan, photography

Itsukushima Shrine

A beautiful shrine built on piers above the Hiroshima bay. Its original construction began in the 6th century, according to Wiki. In front of the main shrine lies an enormous torii gate, standing by itself in the bay’s clear waters, approachable by foot during low tides. I could sit on the wooden pier for hours.