Jingu

Jingu is a Japanese term written with the kanji 神宮, literally meaning "god/shrine" and often used to designate a grand or imperial Shinto shrine. The word appears in the names of several important shrines and can indicate a shrine of national or ceremonial significance. In common use, jingu connotes a shrine of higher status or reverence than a typical jinja (the general word for a Shinto shrine).

Two of the best-known examples are Ise Jingu and Meiji Jingu. Ise Jingu, or the Ise Grand Shrine, is located in Ise, Mie Prefecture, and is regarded as one of Shinto’s most sacred sites. The complex comprises the Inner Shrine (Kōtō) and the Outer Shrine (Toyouke Daijingū) and is dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Meiji Jingu, or Meiji Shrine, lies in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward and was established in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shōken. Its forested grounds form a prominent cultural and recreational area known as Meiji Jingu Gaien.

A related use is Meiji Jingu Stadium, a baseball stadium in the Meiji Jingu area. Opened in 1926, it is one of Japan’s oldest extant stadiums and serves as a home venue for professional and amateur baseball events.

Overview: Jingu denotes a shrine of special status within Shinto practice and is typically found in the proper names of principal shrines or those associated with imperial or national rites. It is distinct from the more general term jinja, which simply means shrine.