Japanese police have arrested a 65-year-old male American tourist on suspicion of vandalizing a wooden torii gate at Meiji Jingu shrine in Tokyo.

Steve Lee Hayes is suspected of etching five alphabets onto a pillar of the gate at the Shinto shrine on November 12.

It is one of three torii gates that represent the boundary between the secular and sacred areas at Meiji Jingu and is located closest to the main sanctuary.

Tokyo police said he has admitted to the allegation, telling them he wrote a family member's name.

They said Hayes arrived in Japan on November 11 and visited Meiji Jingu with his family the next day.

Investigators identified the suspect through activities including watching surveillance camera footage.

Meiji Jingu, located close to Harajuku Station in Shibuya Ward, is a popular destination for tourists and worshippers.

More than 3 million people visit the shrine on the first three days of the New Year annually, the most among similar facilities in Japan.

It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.