After taking in the sake barrels on Meiji Shrine's south approach, turn around, and something unexpected sits directly across the path: a row of wooden barrels, different in color and shape from the ones you just passed. Why would French wine barrels be sitting in the approach to a Shinto shrine? It's the first question almost everyone has. This guide covers why they're there, the Burgundy producers behind them, the best photo angles, and how they compare to the sake barrels facing them.
Why Are There Wine Barrels at Meiji Shrine?
The short answer: Emperor Meiji genuinely loved wine. As Japan opened up to Western culture during his reign, the emperor himself became a wine drinker. That historical detail caught the attention of Sada Yasuhiko, an honorary citizen of Burgundy, who reached out to producers there — and that connection is what started the tradition of Burgundy winemakers donating barrels to Meiji Shrine.
Sacred sake on one side of the path, the wine Emperor Meiji loved on the other — the two displays facing each other are a quiet symbol of Japanese tradition meeting Western culture, and a marker of the ongoing friendship between Japan and France.
The Basics: How Many Barrels, and Since When?
Around 60 wine barrels line the south approach, donated fresh each year by producers across Burgundy. The tradition began in 2006, and according to the shrine's own newsletter, 2025 marked its 20th year — which makes 2026 the 21st.
Each barrel carries the name of its producer or winery, a small piece of Burgundian pride on display. Like most wine barrels, they're made primarily of oak, the same wood that gives aging wine its "barrel character" — notes of vanilla and toast that come specifically from time spent in oak.
Wine Barrels vs. Sake Barrels: Two Traditions, Face to Face
Wine barrels line one side of the south approach; on the other, kazaridaru — sake barrels donated by brewers from across Japan — line the opposite side. One represents Shinto's sacred sake tradition, the other the wine Emperor Meiji loved personally. That contrast is what gives this stretch of the approach its distinctly East-meets-West feel. For the full rundown of the sake side, including every brewery represented by region, see the guide below.
Every brewery on the sake barrel wall, organized by region, plus the history behind why they're offered here.
Where to Find the Wine Barrels
Exit JR Harajuku Station on the west side and enter the south approach through the grand torii gate. It's also a few minutes' walk from Meiji-jingumae Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda and Fukutoshin lines.
Walk down the approach and the wooden wine barrels appear on your right, with the sake barrels facing them across the path. Since it's right on the main route to the main hall, it's easy to fold into a regular visit — no detour required. If you'd rather skip the crowds, early morning or a weekday works best.
Meet the Burgundy Winemakers
The producers whose names appear on these barrels represent some of Burgundy's best-known appellations. Here's a region-by-region look, starting with Beaune and Gevrey-Chambertin.
Beaune
The historic heart of Burgundy, home to many of the region's oldest wineries. Both reds and whites come from here, generally known for a well-balanced character.
| Producer | Appellation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domaine Champy | Beaune | One of Burgundy's oldest wine producers |
| Domaine Faiveley | Beaune | A historic Burgundy winery |
| Domaine Françoise André | Savigny-lès-Beaune | Elegant, delicate red wines |
| Domaine Albert Bichot | Vosne-Romanée | An internationally respected, long-established producer |
| Hospices de Beaune | Bourgogne de Salins | Known for its historic charity wine auction |
Gevrey-Chambertin
Famous for bold, complex reds sometimes called the "wine of kings." Under AOC rules, this appellation is red-only, made exclusively from Pinot Noir, and known for developing real depth with age.
| Producer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Domaine Rossignol Trapet | A leading name in Burgundy red wine |
| Domaine Faiveley | A long-established, celebrated Burgundy producer |
| Domaine Les Arrelières | Known for high-quality wines |
| Domaine Pierre Bouree | Respected for traditional winemaking |
| Domaine JP Marchand | Known for high-quality reds |
| Domaine Les Astrelles | Known for producing high-quality reds |
| Domaine Denis Mortet | A distinguished house producing bold, complex reds |
| Domaine J.C. Fourrier | A distinguished house producing delicate, complex reds |
| Domaine J.M. Guillon | A well-known producer of bold, complex reds |
| Domaine Marchand Grillot | Carries on the region's tradition of high-quality wine |
| Lou Dumont | A unique Burgundy producer led by a Japanese winemaker |
Worth noting: Lou Dumont is run by a Japanese winemaker — another quiet thread tying Japan to this stretch of Burgundy.
Meursault
A celebrated home for Chardonnay-based white wine, known for a rich, creamy character with elegant aromatics and a long finish.
| Producer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Domaine Jean-Michel Gaunoux | A producer from Burgundy's white-wine heartland |
| Domaine Pierre Matrot | A long-standing Burgundy white wine producer |
| Domaine Château de Meursault | Elegant Burgundy wine from Pinot varietals |
| Domaine Boyer-Martenot | A historic producer of elegant Chardonnay |
Puligny-Montrachet
A world-renowned Chardonnay appellation, known for its minerality, fresh acidity, and refined white wine.
| Producer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Domaine Etienne Sauzet | Known for exceptional white wine |
| Domaine Olivier Leflaive | An internationally known white wine producer |
Volnay
Known for delicate, elegant Pinot Noir reds — fruit-forward with smooth tannins, a style sometimes described as more "feminine" than its neighbors.
| Producer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Domaine de la Pousse d'Or | A well-known producer of delicate reds |
| Domaine Bitouzet Prieur | A distinguished house known for refined, balanced reds |
| Domaine Lucien Boillot | Known for richly fruity red wines |
Other Notable Appellations
Chablis, Aloxe-Corton, and other pockets of Burgundy each bring their own character, primarily built on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
| Producer | Appellation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Domaine Jean Grivot | Vosne-Romanée | A house that balances tradition and innovation in its reds |
| Domaine Gros Frère & Sœur | Vosne-Romanée | Known for outstanding grand cru wines |
| Domaine Bruno Clair | Marsannay-la-Côte | Elegant, powerful wines |
| Domaine Brocard | Chablis | Known for highly mineral Chardonnay |
| Domaine Carre | Meursault | Known for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from higher elevations |
A Photogenic Spot
Rows of wooden wine barrels sit oddly well against the shrine's traditional setting — familiar, but with a touch of the foreign mixed in. The contrast between the barrels' texture and the greenery of the south approach shifts with the seasons, framed by cherry blossoms in spring and foliage in autumn.
With the sake barrels' kazaridaru sitting right across the path, you can frame both traditions — East and West — in a single shot. Morning visits mean fewer people and a calmer setting for photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the wine barrels at Meiji Shrine?
A. They're barrels donated annually by winemakers across Burgundy, France, honoring Emperor Meiji's love of wine and symbolizing the friendship between Japan and France.
Q. Why are sake barrels displayed at shrines?
A. In Shinto tradition, sake is a sacred offering to the kami. Breweries donate barrels as a gesture of respect, and Meiji Shrine's sake wall reflects that practice on a nationwide scale.
Q. Where are the sake barrels at Meiji Shrine?
A. Directly across the path from the wine barrels, on the south approach. For the full breakdown by brewery and region, see our sake barrels guide.
Q. When did the wine barrel tradition start?
A. In 2006. 2025 marked the 20th year of donations, making 2026 the 21st.
Q. Is there actually wine inside the barrels?
A. Mostly no — like the sake barrels, these are largely empty display barrels. The donation itself is the point, a ceremonial gesture of friendship rather than a stockpile of wine.
Q. Is the sacred sake at Meiji Shrine actually wine?
A. No. The shrine's omiki (sacred sake) is a Japanese sake called Kinkon, from Toshimaya Shuzo. The wine barrels are a separate, symbolic display honoring Japan-France friendship.
Q. Where is the largest wine barrel in the world?
A. That would be the Heidelberg Tun in Germany, housed in the cellars of Heidelberg Castle — built in 1751, with a capacity of around 219,000 liters. It's a fun bit of trivia, but not connected to Meiji Shrine; the barrels here are modest, ceremonial, and empty by design.
What Visitors Are Saying
Genuinely surprised to see wine barrels at a Shinto shrine, but the story behind them makes total sense. Nice to see Emperor Meiji's taste in wine still honored today.
Recognized several well-known Burgundy producer names on the barrels — got genuinely excited. Worth seeing if you know wine at all.
The sake and wine barrels facing each other made for a great shot — East meets West in one frame, and it photographs beautifully.
My friend from France was thrilled — seeing a piece of her home culture alive inside a Japanese shrine really moved her.
Went early in the morning and had the whole spot to myself. The wood grain photographs beautifully in that soft morning light.
Learning the story of how one man's connection to Burgundy turned into a two-decade tradition was more interesting than I expected.
Assumed the barrels were full. Most turned out to be empty display pieces. → The donation itself carries the ceremonial meaning — if you want to actually taste the wine, look for a wine shop nearby instead.
Was so focused on the sake barrels I nearly walked past the wine barrels entirely. → They're on the opposite side of the south approach — after the sake barrels, turn around and check the other side.
Final Thoughts
The wine barrels at Meiji Shrine aren't just an odd sight — they're proof that Emperor Meiji's fondness for wine, and the friendship that grew from it, is still being renewed every year. Facing the sake barrels the way they do, this stretch of the south approach quietly tells the story of how tradition and international friendship coexist here. Next time you're walking the approach, don't stop at the sake barrels — turn around and take in the wine side too.
Related Articles
The full lineup facing the wine barrels, organized by region, with the history behind the tradition.
Free entry, access from Harajuku, etiquette, and every highlight in one place — the full guide to Meiji Shrine.
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