Taian Means Wedding Day at Meiji Shrine
Imagine a bride in an elegant white kimono, her face serene beneath a delicate headdress, walking through Meiji Shrine’s courtyard. The crowd hushes as her procession passes. Cameras rise. It’s Taian, the luckiest day in Japan—especially for weddings. The first time I photographed one was in 2018. Let’s talk about it.
I’ve been there a few times since then, but few photos found their way onto my blog. It was time for a refresh and update. I visited the shrine to do that in March 2025.
Anyway, nothing has changed at Meiji Jingu since the last time. Visitors crowded to see the wedding processions. Staff treated the couples like royalty, and rightly so. It’s the day when brides and grooms start their new life together.
Meiji Jingu is the best place to start their new life. Have you been there? It’s a shrine of enormous cultural significance in Tokyo. Millions of people visit it each year. It can be busy.
Well, when a wedding procession appears, that changes. Visitors drop what they are doing. People scramble to get a good position for a photo. A hush comes over the courtyard.
What can I say about these wedding processions? I know whatever comment I make won’t do them justice. The brides, wrapped in exquisite silk kimonos, move gracefully, their white hoods symbolizing purity. Their grooms, wearing a hakama and a kimono-montsuki, stand tall beside them.
Priests and shrine maidens lead the bride and groom. Behind them are more attendants, family, and friends. Everyone is placed according to their importance in the group. When they are ready, the wedding procession slowly proceeds across the courtyard to the wedding altar.
I’m happy to see wedding processions. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Taian day or not. They bring many smiles to the Meiji Jingu’s courtyard. And they are great for photos.
Why Is Taian such a Good Wedding Day?
The concept of Taian originated in China. It’s about luck, especially for anything that needs a start. That is why wedding halls all over Japan have many reservations on these days. Meiji Shrine is one of those, and it is busy too.
Are you building a new house? You may be moving into a new one. What about buying a new car? Choose this day. In business, when you decide on the date of establishment, open a new store or launch a new product, choose this day. Taian is important. It is engrained in Japanese culture.
What does Taian mean?
Taian means “great peace”. Isn’t it a great word to start married life? What do you think?
Conclusion
To see a wedding procession at Meiji Shrine, go on Taian. It should have many. I would be surprised if it didn’t. To be honest, I couldn’t imagine that day without one. That would be unthinkable. Seriously.
Japanese wedding processions are colorful events, for sure. It’s easy to see why they are popular. I wish I could see them more regularly. If time permits, that will happen. Leave questions and comments below.
Date of photos: 9 March, 2025
Rohan Gillett
Rohan has lived in Tokyo for 30+ years. He loves photography and plans to capture the entire city.
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External related articles:
- How to See Part of a Traditional Japanese Wedding (on wheresshelly.com)