It's traditional to bow once entering then again when you leave. When entering the shrine, you'll first meet the Torii, or the shrine's large archway. ![]() While at such a holy site, take time to divulge in traditional rituals. That's because 100,000 of the trees standing were all donated by Japanese people from around the country as a thank you to emperor. While the buildings are certainly worth visiting, the surrounding forest (considered part of the vast Yoyogi Park) is a sight to see as well. After the emperor's death in 1912 and that of his consort in 1914, the Japanese commemorated their contributions with the Meiji Shrine. Japanese history credits Meiji for modernizing Japan by incorporating Western principles into Japanese society, including adopting a cabinet system into government. The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto (Japan's original religion) shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. If you don't have enough time to do this (or just don't want to) the best thing to do is get a map of the museum beforehand and pick what you want to do before you venture in. Museum goers also say that there so much to see in the Tokyo National Museum that you probably need an entire day if you want to get through everything. Travelers appreciated that the museum featured English translations, something that some visitors noticed other Tokyo top attractions lacked (think the Ghibli Museum). Even some who admitted they aren't museum people enjoyed the variety of unique artifacts on display. Travelers were impressed with all that the Tokyo National Museum has to offer. In addition to artifacts from Japan's history, you'll also find pieces from all across the Asian continent, including Buddhist scrolls that date all the way back to 607. Strolling through the halls of its numerous buildings, you'll spot relics such as samurai armor and swords (a traveler favorite), delicate pottery, kimonos, calligraphy, paintings, and much more, some of which are designated as national treasures and Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government. ![]() This museum is one of the country's most expansive, housing about 116,000 pieces of art and artifacts that cover the longest recorded history of Japan. If you're looking to learn a little (or a lot) about Japan's history, the Tokyo National Museum is the place to go.
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