A Perfect White Day Date Spot: Visiting the Married Couple Trees at Meiji Shrine

Despite being located right next to the lively districts of Harajuku and Omotesando, Meiji Shrine is a place where the atmosphere changes the moment you step inside. Dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken, this Shinto shrine is one of Tokyo’s most popular sightseeing spots, welcoming visitors from both Japan and abroad.

The shrine grounds are covered with a rich forest planted with the vision of creating an “eternal grove.” As you walk along the long approach, you are gradually surrounded by greenery and tranquility that feel worlds away from the city center. Conversation naturally slows, and with many picturesque views, it is an ideal destination for a relaxed and meaningful date.

A must-visit spot on White Day is the Meoto Kusu—the Married Couple Trees—standing quietly to the left of the main hall. Bound together with a sacred rope, the two camphor trees appear distinct when viewed up close, yet from a short distance, they seem almost like a single tree. This mysterious presence has made them a beloved symbol of good relationships, marital harmony, and family safety, earning their reputation as a powerful spiritual spot for love and marriage.

The Married Couple Trees were donated when Meiji Shrine was founded in 1920. Over more than a century, they have grown into their current form and have come to be associated with the close and harmonious relationship of the enshrined deities. There is even a popular belief that setting a photo of the trees as your smartphone wallpaper brings good luck, and many visitors can be seen quietly capturing the moment.

A tree that might otherwise be passed by without notice reveals deeper connections between people, nature, history, and culture when you pause to truly look. That is the essence of Meiji Shrine’s appeal. Walking side by side with someone special and making a quiet wish, a White Day visit to Meiji Shrine and the Married Couple Trees is sure to become a cherished memory.