A large and major shrine in central Tokyo, a favourite venue for hatsumode. It is dedicated to the deified spirits of the Meiji emperor who died in 1912 and his empress, Shoken. The shrine was completed in 1920-21, the result of an unprecedented national construction project which involved a large outlay in public funds and volunteer labour by Buddhist, Shinto and other youth groups from all over Japan, reflecting a genuine affection and admiration for the Meiji emperor.
A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Brian Bocking.