Bask in the calm Meiji Jingu Shrine

One of Japan’s finest Shinto shrines, Meiji Jingu Shrine is an oasis of peace and serenity. Built in dedication to Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken in 1920, the shrine is your free ticket to a blissful world totally devoid of the humdrum and noise of a city as buzzing as Tokyo. The way to the serene shrine is through a grand, calming, tree-lined precinct called Yoyogi Forest, which is a dense cluster of around 100,000 trees all planted by hand by the sincere people of Japan. Walking through this foliage of greenery, it’s impossible to not feel refreshed by nature’s pure energy. Complete this spiritual experience with a traditional Japanese bow in the Meiji Jingu Shrine. The shrine is a simple affair—nothing ostentatious or gaudy about it—and blends well with the emerald colors of nature. If you happen to visit this place on a Sunday, keep your eyes open for wedding processions, where you can catch the bride and her accompanying brigade walking in traditional gowns and kimonos. You wouldn’t want to miss bringing them back with you in your camera, would you?