sam heart travel

Tokyo 2025 - Day 7: An Unexpected Encounter at Meiji Jingu Shrine   Our Day 7 in Tokyo started with a delicious lunch, followed by a trip to Harajuku. Our initial plan was to hit the shoe stores first, but as we approached Harajuku, Meiji Jingu Shrine unexpectedly caught our eye. We decided on a spontaneous change of plans – a visit to the shrine first!   The sheer scale of Meiji Jingu was immediately impressive. Despite the constant flow of visitors, it never felt crowded. The entrance and exit areas were incredibly well-organized, and the pathways were surprisingly wide, not paved but made of soft, comfortable pebbles. At the entrance of the Tori gate, we found information about the shrine's history, but we decided to save that for later, eager to explore the grounds first.   The first thing that struck us was the massive display of sake barrels – rows upon rows of them, each with its own story and significance. From there, it was a pleasan...