One of Tokyo's major tourist destinations, Meiji Shrine is especially popular at New Year's, drawing more than three million visitors during the first three days of January. (The main New Year's Day ritual is held at 7am on January 1.) Other special yearly events include ceremonies for Coming of Age Day (second Monday in January) and Shichigosan, the ceremony for children aged 3, 5 and 7 (held November 15).

The shrine area is planted with 170,000 trees representing 245 different species. Other botanical highlights include a koi pond filled with waterlillies and an iris garden with over 150 species of iris (in full bloom at the beginning of June). The Treasure Museum shows off kimono and other items used by the Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoko.

Admission is free, but there is a Y500 fee to visit the Treasure Museum and annex. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset (and all night during the New Year's period), while the Treasure Museum is open 9am-4:30pm. The main entrance is next to Harajuku station.