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Matsuri Guide

Cérémonie religieuse • Tōkyō-to (東京都)

明治神宮 秋の大祭

Meiji Jingū Aki no Taisai (明治神宮 秋の大祭)

Meiji Jingū Aki no Taisai (明治神宮 秋の大祭)

Next date From Sunday, November 1, 2026 to Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Status Date confirmed
Period Chaque année du 1er au 3 novembre
Date type Fixe, chaque année du 1er au 3 novembre
Venue Meiji Shrine (明治神宮)
Access À quelques minutes à pied depuis Harajuku ou Meiji-jingūmae, puis marche dans l’allée boisée jusqu’au sanctuaire principal.

Name in Japanese and English

  • Grand Autumn Festival of Meiji Jingū Shrine
  • Meiji Jingū Aki no Taisai (明治神宮 秋の大祭)

Summary

The 明治神宮 秋の大祭 (Meiji Jingū Aki no Taisai), or Grand Autumn Festival of Meiji Jingū Shrine, is one of the major ritual events at the Harajuku shrine in Tokyo. It commemorates the establishment of the shrine on November 1, 1920, and culminates with the 例祭 (reisai), the grand annual rite related to the birth of Emperor Meiji. The festival is also known for its 奉祝行事 (hōshuku gyōji), ceremonies and arts offered in celebration, including the 流鏑馬 (yabusame), horseback archery.

Access and Landmarks

Location

明治神宮 (Meiji Jingū), Meiji Shrine.

Address

〒151-8557 東京都渋谷区代々木神園町1-1 (1-1 Yoyogi Kamizono-chō, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo).

Landmark

The shrine is located in the large forest of Meiji Jingū, between Harajuku, Yoyogi, and Yoyogi Park. The most convenient access points are the south entrance near 原宿駅 (Harajuku-eki) and 明治神宮前〈原宿〉駅 (Meiji-jingūmae Harajuku-eki).

Access

From 原宿駅 (Harajuku-eki), the south entrance of the shrine is reachable within a few minutes on foot. From 明治神宮前〈原宿〉駅 (Meiji-jingūmae Harajuku-eki), the walk to the south entrance is also very short, then allow time to cross the wooded path to the main shrine.

GPS Coordinates

35.6764, 139.6993, coordinates corresponding to the main area of Meiji Jingū Shrine.

Schedule

The festival opens around the 鎮座記念祭 (Chinza Kinen-sai), a ceremony commemorating the establishment of Meiji Jingū. The main rites take place at the shrine, while traditional arts are offered on the sacred stage or in various areas of the grounds.

Visitors can observe, depending on the year's program, performances of 能 (nō) and 狂言 (kyōgen), classical and comic theater, traditional music 三曲 (sankyoku), court dance 舞楽 (bugaku), as well as demonstrations of martial arts such as 合気道 (aikidō) or 古武道 (kobudō), ancient martial arts.

The most spectacular moment for many visitors is the 流鏑馬 (yabusame), horseback archery, usually associated with the celebrations on November 3rd. It attracts large crowds: it is therefore advisable to arrive early and respect the circulation and safety zones.

Practical Tips

Photos

For the 流鏑馬 (yabusame), plan a spot in advance and use a lens that allows photographing from a distance. For the shrine rites, remain discreet and avoid intrusive gestures, as it is a religious ceremony.

Weather

In early November in Tokyo, temperatures are generally mild to cool. Bring a jacket and good shoes, as the visit involves walking along the long paths of the shrine.

Transport

Harajuku and Meiji-jingūmae stations are very convenient but can be very crowded during the festival. It may be more comfortable to arrive early or also use access points from Yoyogi or Sangūbashi depending on the chosen route.

Visitor Tips

Check the official program of the year before your visit, as the schedules of 奉祝行事 (hōshuku gyōji), celebration events, may vary. Since the shrine is very large, allow time between two performance locations.

What to Bring

Bring water, a phone battery pack, comfortable shoes, and possibly a map of the shrine. Some areas may be reserved or restricted during rites and demonstrations.

History

The shrine 明治神宮 (Meiji Jingū) is dedicated to Emperor Meiji, 明治天皇 (Meiji Tennō), and Empress Shōken, 昭憲皇太后 (Shōken Kōtaigō). It was established on November 1, 1920, after the death of Emperor Meiji in 1912 and the Empress in 1914, to honor their memory in a Shinto shrine in the heart of Tokyo.

The 秋の大祭 (Aki no Taisai), the grand autumn festival, combines several major rites. The 鎮座記念祭 (Chinza Kinen-sai) commemorates the establishment of the shrine, while the 例祭 (reisai) on November 3 corresponds to Emperor Meiji’s birthday. According to the shrine, this ceremony is marked by the presence of an imperial messenger, 勅使 (chokushi).

The public celebrations accompanying the festival, called 奉祝行事 (hōshuku gyōji), give significant importance to traditional arts, music, martial arts, and ritual demonstrations. They make this festival a particularly rich occasion to discover both the religious dimension of Meiji Jingū and major forms of classical Japanese culture.

Sources & References

Location

Meiji Jingū Aki no Taisai (明治神宮 秋の大祭)

📍 Venue:
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮)
〒151-8557 東京都渋谷区代々木神園町1-1

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Upcoming Schedule
  • Nov 1, 2026 - Nov 3, 2026
  • Nov 1, 2027 - Nov 3, 2027
  • Nov 1, 2028 - Nov 3, 2028