A Traditional Japanese wedding procession at Meiji Shrine. 

Meiji Shrine is located right next to the very busy Harajuku Station and before that you will pass by/ walk across Harajuku bridge, where you may see Cosplay kids or Lolitas on Sundays around 12pm.

Meiji Shrine is a 10 minutes walk from the first and massive Torii gate at the entrance but once you enter, the sights and sounds of the hustle and bustle of the city are replaced by the tranquility of the forest. You forget that you are at one of busiest area of Tokyo.

But the main focus of this post is Witnessing a Traditional Japanese wedding procession at Meiji Shrine. 

I was doing research for my trip and came across a blog where the writer witnessed a traditional Japanese wedding procession at Meiji Shrine. I became reaaaaaaally determined to see a Japanese wedding for myself. And so the search begun to find the date and day.

After countless google searches and days browsing through forums, I finally found THE answer.

Based on the Japanese Taian calendar, there were lucky and unlucky days. You know similar to the Chinese lunar calendar. Using this http://tn.calendar-calendar.com/, you can see what type of day it is (there are a lot of different kind) but all you need to know are the days in red 大安. In Chinese custom, we usually pick an auspicious date for the wedding. Same goes for the Japanese.

I saw 2 Japanese couples taking their wedding photos after their ceremony. I was quite upset that I missed the processions. But at that moment when I turned around I saw 2 shinto priests standing around and guards trying to get the crowd to step back annnnnnnnnd a Japanese couple in traditional wear stepped out with their entourage. Right then I knew it was a Japanese wedding procession.


To the couple, thank you for letting me witness your beautiful occasion.