A Walk around Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu Shrine (Part 3) / 代々木公園と明治神宮の散歩 （パート３）

Passing through this torii, I will be on the grounds of Meiji Jingu Shrine.

この鳥居を渡ったら明治神宮の中です。

Before heading to the actual shrine, I took a little detour to check out the Aomori Prefecture Food Stall Court Area. Unfortunately, it already being 3pm and the food booth closing at 4pm, most of the stalls were sold out of their various products. And the lines for the ones that were still serving food were extremely long. As a result, I didn't get to try any of the items on offer. I wasn't too disappointed though as I've made many trips to Aomori and have tried some of the foods on offer when I was there. The following picture will show you what I missed out on.

明治神宮の本館に行く前に、青森ご当地グルメ屋台村を訪ねました。もう午後３時で、屋台村が午後４時までのせいか、ほとんどの物が売り切れでした。まだ営業してる屋台には超行列が出来ていたので、ご当地の食べ物は諦めました。自分は何回も青森県に行ってるから、屋台で売ってるものはいろいろと食べたことがあったので、全然悔いはなかった。下記の写真で何があったかを紹介する。

Starting from top left to right:

Hachinohe Senbei Jiru, [Aji no Sapporo] Miso Curry Milk Ramen, Goshogawara Razor Clam Ramen, Towada Pork Bowl

Kuroishi tsuyu yakisoba, Misawa hokkidon (hokki being a variety of clam), Shimokita kasamai yaki (Japanese beef skewers), Aomori style shoga-miso oden

Oominato Navy croquette, Fujigasawa chicken skewer, Goshogawara age tai, Namioka hot apple cider

A wall of wine on the temple grounds. Why? Read the sign below.

ワインの樽はなぜ明治神宮に？ 下記のサインを読んでみて。

English version


Japanese version




Otorii (Grand Shrine Gate) / 大鳥居

I thought I might have some time to check out the Meiji Jingu Garden (which has a small entrance fee) but then I noticed the sign that said there was a three hour wait. Needless to say, I skipped the gardens.

まだ時間もあったから明治神宮御苑を探索しおうと思ったが（入場金は必要）でも入口に３時間待ちのサインを見て、ここも諦めました。

Finally nearing Meiji Jingu Shrine - its quite a walk from the entrance.

明治神宮にやっと近づきました、入口から結構歩きます。

The Gate I just passed through.

先通った門。

Meiji Jingu Shrine comes into view.

明治神宮にやっとたどり着いた。

This is the crowd on a Saturday - imagine this times 10 for hatsumode on New Year's Day.

これは普通の土曜日。初詣が１０倍位の参拝客が訪れると考えると。。。凄いしか思えない。

The crowd didn't dwindle one bit after I paid my respects.

自分が参拝した後に次々と参拝客が来る。

I still had another hour or so before the Aomori Nebuta Festival in Tokyo would start. But at 4pm, there was a short program before the festival began. I decided to stick around and watch it.

青森ねぶた祭り イン 東京はあと１時間ほどだったので、４時位に明治神宮にてねぶたの出陣式が行われた。それを見ることにしました。