Meiji Jingu Shrine & National Diet Building

The first stop of the Sunrise Tour was Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine. Here, you can feel Japanese values and tradition as well as experience them. As the guide gave us a brief lesson on the manners of sanpai, the procedure of paying one's respect to and praying at a Shinto shrine, even those of us who were new to Japanese ways could immerse ourselves in the experience. Furthermore, the shrine itself is a sight to see, especially the details of the architecture that can only be enjoyed to one's content upon close examination. I personally enjoyed the walk in the forest leading up to the shrine as well: I could get away from the greatness of the Tokyo metropolis and feel tranquility just in time to pay my respects to the shrine and pray. Others on the tour seemed to enjoy the shop at Meiji Jingu, as there were many Japanese goods that were perfect for souvenirs. Next, we drove by the National Diet Building. I am sure that people visiting from overseas will find seeing the building interesting, especially by comparing it with that of their own country or associating it with what they heard about Japanese politics.

Special thanks to
■SUNRISE TOURS
http://www.jtb-sunrisetours.jp/

■Miss Nippon Contest Organizing Committee
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/miss_nippon/award11/miss/
＊JapaneseOnly

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