[Tokyo Fall 2008] Meiji Shrine: a wedding

The day we went to Meiji Shrine the temperature was dropping, and the rain kept coming down, but we still saw a small wedding taking place. It looked like a fairly private wedding, where there were the bride and groom, and their close family members.


I belive this is the main Meiji Shrine.

There were a couple "side halls" by the shrine, where we saw this:


A bride wearing a traditional wedding kimono. I think the lady next to her was her mom, helping her get ready for a photo shoot.


All ready!

I wish we were able to take better photos of the beautiful bride.


The bride and groom, and families. I pulled out my camera a bit too late!

I didn't know exactly what was going on, but the wedding seemed quite, and everyone looked happy.

[Tokyo Fall 2008] Meiji Shrine: Presents to the Emperor

At Meiji Shrine we saw the many presents and offerings from people all over different regions of Japan, and overseas.


Sake.


Wine.


Bags of rice.


All sorts of vegetables.


Lots of juicy fruit.


Some of the apples and pears presented were huge! From what I know they were precious and super sweet and juicy.


This was the first time I saw konyaku plants.


Huge and colorful Chrysanthemum. HUGE.

There were stands after stands, piles after piles, of food and presents that were presented. They all seemed very fresh, so I suspected that they were changed out very frequently. Some of them have notes on them saying that they were grateful for an abundant year.

I wonder if the emperor's families eat all the food?

[Tokyo Fall 2008] Meiji Shrine: Torii

We arrived at Harajuku Station on the rainy morning. It was wet, but I actually enjoyed the misty air all around me.


Umbrellas outside Harajuku Station.

We decided to go to Meiji Shrine first. We followed the signs, and turned right after exiting the station.


After crossing a bridge, we saw the first torii (gate to the shrines). It was so beautiful.



We saw many Torii(s). I believe Torii is the gate to the shrines, or sacred places. I don't quite remember how many we saw at Meiji Shrine (in terms of the whole big area,) but I loved looking and admiring every one of them.


Oh look at its colors... in the rain.


A smaller one.


I was very intrigued.


"Tranquillity."

There were many torii(s) big and small at Meiji Shrine, and I was amazed by every single one of them.