Meiji Jingu Gaien 明治神宮外苑

1-1 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo

Enjoy sports and trace the Meiji history at Meiji JIngu Gaien

The Meiji Jingu Gaien complex houses a multitude of sports facilities, and the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery. Located due east of the Meiji shrine, it’s just a few minutes’ walk from Gaien-mae Station.

Tips

Catching an exciting baseball game in Jingu Stadium, home to the Tokyo Yakult Swallows
Pit your skills against popular professional baseball players (virtual imagery) at the batting practice range
Learning traditional tea ceremony, calligraphy and more at the Picture Gallery School

Explore the vast outdoor complex, basking in the sunny greenery of the park, or spend an evening watching baseball with a cold beer. You can also pit your skills against popular professional baseball players (virtual images) at the batting practice range.
If you feel like brushing up your double axels, check out the indoor ice-skating rink, open year-round. If you've got a team or even just a partner, rent out a futsal or tennis court for a few hours at a reasonable price.

Once you’ve had your fill of playing sports, head to Jingu Stadium between March and October to catch a game of pro-league baseball. Be prepared for a culture shock, as you watch Japanese fans chant, dance, and sing, unlike anything you would see during an MLB game. You may even see the Yakult fans cheering in the stands while performing their famed “umbrella dance.”

If sports aren't your thing, head over to the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery to see an original wall art gallery related to Emperor Meiji and Empress Dowager Shoken. The gallery also offers lessons in traditional Japanese arts ranging from ikebana (flower arranging) to traditional tea ceremony and calligraphy.