Meiji Jinguu (Shrine) 明治神宮

The Meiji Shrine is located right next to Harajuku station. No wonder it is a popular tourist attraction as well as a great place for Japanese people to relax. However, like any other gardens, the iris garden located inside costs like 500yen per adult.The shrine itself is free entry.
明治神宮位於原宿站附近，難怪能成為超人氣的旅遊景點和讓日本人放鬆心情的好地方。不過裡面的花園和其它花園一樣都要收費。我記得成人大概是500yen。神社是免費進入的。

Before entering, you have to cleanse yourself first at a small shelter with a water well. I didn't know this before so luckily we had our own almost-Japanese Malaysian tour guide to explain the proper procedures! First, you take the ladle filled with water and wash your left hand, then the right hand. With the leftover, pour it into your hand and use it to gargle your mouth, then spit down the side.
多虧我們有一名精通日本文化的馬來西亞女生，所以告訴了我們正確參拜的禮儀！！！首先，必須找一個類似上圖的小木舍，然後用舀子裝水。先潑在左手，然後右手。最後把剩下的水用手裝著來漱口。漱完之後吐在有石子的邊邊。

Another important thing is whenever you see this kind of big gate, you have to bow before entering. When you exit, you also need to turn and bow back.
還有一個重點是，你必須在進入這種大門之前先鞠躬。出去的時候也必須回頭鞠躬。

Because it was Showa Day, there was some kind of ritual performance with slow traditional music and 4 men dancing. It was interesting to watch but it sort of loops again and again.
因為那天是昭日，所以有一些傳統表演。我是覺得蠻有趣的，但是舞蹈和音樂似乎一直在重複...

When you reach inside to pray, you need to throw coin/s into the urn, bow and then chant your pray. When you finish, clap 2 times and bow again.
進入裡面祈禱的時候，必須先丟硬幣在壇子裡，然後鞠躬。閉著眼睛祈禱完之後，拍手2次然後再鞠躬。

We went to buy some charms (mamori) for good luck. Each generally costs around 800yen. I personally bought 3 charms to pray I win the comic competition and pass the university entrance exam successfully. The validity for these charms is only till end of this year, so you may ask what to do with your expired charms? Simple, you can bring or mail it back to the shrine to have it burnt during New Year and buy a new one again!
我們幾個女生都去買一些護身符來招好運。每幅約800yen左右。我自己買了3個來祈禱漫畫比賽得獎和大學院入學考試過關。這些符的有效期是到今年尾。所以你可能在想那我那些舊的怎麼辦呢？很簡單啦，你可以拿回去神社或郵寄回去，他們會在新年的時候燒掉全部，然後你又可以買新的了！

We finished praying and walked out of the shrine to the happening Harajuku and got free Red Bull! Apparently, the Japanese do their marketing campaigns by offering free samples during weekends and holidays, how nice! We tasted it and found the taste... so-so. But it was free, icy and we were happy. KAMPAI to Golden Week!
我們祈禱完之後就到原宿逛逛，沒想到可以拿到免費紅牛飲料！日本人似乎都在週末和假期時免費贈送物品來作促銷。真不錯！只是我們都覺得味道...還好。不過竟然是贈品就不要挑剔啦！黃金週乾杯！