Pay Respects at a Grand Shrine in the Heart of the City's Forest, Walk Along Tree-lined Paths
About this spot
A grand shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, located within approximately 700,000 square meters of forested shrine grounds in the heart of Tokyo. The approach from Harajuku's grand torii gate to the main hall is lined with towering trees on both sides, creating an atmosphere cool enough to feel refreshing even in midsummer. Just a step away from the bustling city streets, you'll find an otherworldly serenity—the perfect place to calm your heart before the fireworks festival. In addition to paying respects at the main hall, there are other points of interest scattered throughout the grounds, such as Kiyomasa's Well. Experience a quiet daytime atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the bustling evening Gaien area where fireworks will soon fill the night.
Fireworks details
Name: 神宮外苑花火大会
Date & time: 8/8 (Sat) 19:30–20:30
Venue: 新宿区・明治神宮外苑（神宮球場・秩父宮ラグビー場）
Shells: approx. 10,000
神宮球場と秩父宮ラグビー場を会場に、都心の夜空へ約10,000発を打ち上げる大規模な花火大会です。スターマインや大型花火が次々と開き、会場内の観覧席はもちろん、周辺エリアからも迫力ある光の競演を楽しめます。都心のど真ん中という立地ながら、空が広く開けた外苑ならではの開放感があり、花火の音が響き渡るたびに歓声が上がります。長い1日を締めくくるフィナーレの連発は、夜空が花火の光に包まれる圧倒的なスケールで、家族全員の記憶に残る夏の夜になるはずです。
Tips
指定席チケットは公式サイトで事前購入が必要です(当日券は数量限定または完売の場合あり)。無料観覧は会場外周の指定エリアから。終演後は外苑前・信濃町・千駄ヶ谷の各駅が大混雑するため、花火終了後はしばらく現地で休んでから移動するか、方向別に分散した駅を利用するのがおすすめです。荒天時は順延の場合があるため、公式の開催情報を当日朝に確認しましょう。
Food stalls
Hours: 15時–16時頃開始、20時半–21時頃終了
Where: 神宮球場外周が中心、いちょう並木通り付近、外苑前駅・青山一丁目駅周辺
※Based on previous years. Stall lineups change year to year. Please check the official site for the latest details.
Turn this into a day plan with stall time includedTips
Nearest station: Harajuku Station (JR/Tokyo Metro), 1 minute walk, or Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro), 3 minutes walk. Admission to the shrine is free. The grounds are spacious, so wear comfortable shoes. Admission to Kiyomasa's Well is an additional ¥200 (9 AM–4 PM). Exiting via the south approach from the main hall makes it convenient to move to the Gaien-mae area.
Best time to visit
Approximately 1 hour required. The shade along the approach feels most refreshing in the early afternoon hours.
Access & map
〒151-8557 Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, Yoyogi Shinjin-cho 1−1
Model course featuring this spot
2026 Meiji Shrine Outer Garden Fireworks Festival - Full Day Course
Tokyo
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