The most important shinto shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken
The construction of this shrine lasted from 1915 until 1921, although it was formally dedicated in 1920. The works were lead by Itó Chúta (1867-1954), an architect and professor of Tokyo Imperial University Engineering Department, whom I have already mentioned in my article YUSHIMA-SEIDO CONFUCIAN TEMPLE, as he was the designer of it.
The reason for Meiji Jingu Shrine construction was to commemorate the virtues of Emperor Meiji (1852-1912) and Empress Shoken (1850-1914) and to venerate them forever. It was the wish of people and people themselves have created the forest surrounding the shrine. It was carefully planned as an eternal forest that recreates itself. They donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and from overseas. They worked voluntarily in honour of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Now, one hundred years later, this man made forest cannot be distinguished from a natural forest at all.
