Shrine Spots in Kyoto Area

Area

Kyoto
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- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
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  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Fukakusa Yabunouchi cho 68

This shrine in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, is the head of all Inari Shrines in Japan, which total to around 30,000 shrines. The shrine is particularly famous for its vermillion lacquered Torii gate tunnels, as well as to parishioners visiting the god for business, harvest, and fortune. Many of the buildings on the grounds are also painted with brilliant vermillion lacquer including the front shrine, main shrine, and tower gate, which has been designated an Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The torii gate corridor, said to consist of several thousand to 10,000 torii gates, twists and turns making it quite the spectacle. Beyond that is the rear shrine as well as the entrance to Mt. Inari-san which is dotted with countless small burial mounds. It is one of the most famous spots in the Kansai region to visit for the annual New Year Shrine Visit and draws huge numbers of visitors every year.
Shimogamo-jinja Shrine

4.5

1037 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Shimogamoizumigawachou 59

Formally titled the Kamomioya Shrine, this historic Shinto shrine is one of Kyoto’s oldest. The entire grounds of the shrine are registered as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” World Heritage listing. Dedicated to the guardian deity of Kyoto as well as the guardian deity of woman’s duties, since ancient times the shrine has been seen as providing divine aid in receiving guidance, achieving victory, and starting new projects. The grounds are also dotted with women-oriented shrines and sites, such as the Aioi-sha, a shrine dedicated to luck in marriage, and Kawai Shrine, a guardian shrine for women.

We walked from Kawaramachi to Shimojima Jinja. It was busy because it was New Years Day so everyone was buying amulets and fortunes. At this shrine, you can pay your respects to your zodiac sign...
Kifune-jinja Shrine

4.5

710 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Kuramakibunechou 180

This shrine in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, is the head shrine for the Kifune-Shrines in Japan which number almost 500 shrines. Long been known for the god of rain it has also gained faith from the chefs, cooking industry, and water industries of Japan. Therefore, unlike the regional name of Kibune, the name of the shrine is read as Kifune. The middle shrine located between the main shrine and the rear shrine enshrines the goddess Iwanaga-hime, a goddess of marriage and matchmaking, and is therefore popular amongst young couples.

I hiked to Kifune across the mountain from Kurama, walking a beautiful and well-kept forest path. Many shinto shrines on the way, placed into power spots. The shrine is in a narrow valley, and...
Kamo-wake ikazuchi Jinja (Kamigamo-jinja Shrine)

4.5

615 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kita-ku Kamigamomotoyama 339

This shrine in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, enshrines the patron god of the Kamo clan. It is said the shrine was founded in 678 when the god Kamowakeikazuchi no Okami descended to the foot of Mt. Kamosan during the reign of Emperor Jimmu. The god is said to protect against misfortune, grant good fortune, victory in battle, and protect the power industry. The main hall and temporary shrine are both National Treasures and were last rebuilt in 1863 while the 34 worship halls rebuilt in 1628 are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan. On May 15th they hold the Aoi Festival, one of Kyoto's three largest festivals, and many people come to watch the procession which is put on in Heian-period costumes.

lovely buildings and gardens to walk around, history of these places is amazing. Very tranquil and so clean.
Seimei-jinja Shrine

4.0

334 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi, Kamigyo-ku Horikawa Tsushin Ichijo Le Rui Mihacho 806

This is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Abe no Seimei, a diviner active in the mid Heian period, built in 1007 by Emperor Ichijo in order to appease the diviner’s spirit. The shrine helps ward off evil and danger, and many visitors come to escape misfortune. The shrine has a distinct Onmyodo mystical atmosphere, from the pentagrams depicted on the tori gate, paper lanterns and votive pictures to the diviner stone statues.

Seimei Shrine is dedicated to Abeno Seimei, a famous diviner of Heian Time. He was also a specialist of astronomy. The place now the shrine is located used to be his residence. Now this shrine is...
Yasui Konpiragu Shrine

4.0

283 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Shimobentenchou 70

A Shinto shrine located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City popularly known as Yasui no Konpira-san. Fujiwara no Kamatari established the shrine during the reign of Emperor Tenchi. He planted purple wisterias and named it Fuji-dera (the Temple of Wisteria) in prayer for the prosperity of his clan and the perpetuation of his descendants. The shrine is principally dedicated to Emperor Sutoku, who excised all desire from himself and became a monk in the Konpiragu in the former Sanuki Province; accordingly, the temple has attracted faithful seeking to excise all bad attachments and make good ones since ancient times. It is believed that spouses and couples who have a good relationship and come here will not see their relationships ended but rather find them growing deeper.

良縁を結び、悪縁を断ち切ることで有名な神社です。有名な神社ではありますが、境内は広くなく、周遊するだけであれば30分程度で済みます。しかも周囲はマンションに囲まれており、住宅街に埋没しているような佇まいで、意識してアクセスしようとしなければ通り過ぎてしまうかもしれません。札・お守り・絵馬の購入や授与、祈祷受付は営業時間が設けられていますが（9時-17時30分）、神社そのものは夜間でも開いており...
Iwashimizu-Hachimangu Shrine

4.5

220 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Yawatashi Yawata Takabou 30

Considered one of the greatest Hachiman shrines, Shinto shrines dedicated to Hachiman, in the country, this shrine was established in 859 when the deity of Usa Hachimangu in Kyushu was ceremonially divided and transferred here to protect an Imperial castle built in southwestern Heian-kyo (the former name of the city of Kyoto), considered an unlucky area due to the tenets of feng shui. Today, believers come to the shrine for protection from evil and calamity, and has come to be affectionately known as “Yawata no Hachiman-sama.” The Shrine’s vermillion-lacquered main building was rebuilt with donations from Tokugawa Iemitsu in the Edo period, and it, together with structures such as the inner shrine, outer shrine, two tier gate, are all registered as Important Cultural Property.

The main building is designated as a National Treasure a couple of years ago. This is the home of Hachiman shrines which spreads all over Japan. I bought a good luck charm years ago and it was so...
Hirano-Jinja

4.0

213 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kita-ku Hiranomiyamotochou 1

A Shinto shrine located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City. The shrine is said to have been founded in 794 when a deity was moved here close to the palace in accordance with the relocation of the capital ordered by Emperor Kammu. The current main building was built in the Kan-ei period (1624–1644) according to the Hirano-zukuri style and is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. The front shrine, central and southern gates, and auxiliary shrine are designated Cultural Properties by the Kyoto Prefectural government. The shrine is renowned for its cherry trees and holds a Cherry Blossom Festival on April 10 as well as a concert and reception with cherry blossom tea (fee required).

Sure, this is by now a sakura-themed place, and people go for themes - but I think this is one of the loveliest, most serene shinto shrines in Kyoto, and that is saying alot. A perfect balance of...
Nonomiya-jinja Shrine

4.0

301 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Saganonomiyachou 1

A Shinto shrine located in the Sagano area of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City. The shrine is dedicated to gods of scholarship, love, children, and easy childbirth, and is particularly renowned for aiding in finding marriage. The shrine was the setting of the Sakaki chapter of the famed Tale of Genji and is also the subject of the classic Noh song Nonomiya; the grounds contain numerous informational signs noting key points mentioned in these works. It is said that if one rubs the Kame-ishi (Tortoise Stone) next to the shrine dedicated to the marriage god Nonomiya Daikokuten, one’s wish will be granted within the year, and many visitors come to this popular Kyoto “power spot.”

nonomiya shrine is famous because of its associations with imperial princesses (who traveled here to purify themselves before proceeding to serve at the Ise shrine) and also the Tale of Genji. for...
Ujigami-jinja Shrine

4.0

366 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Ujishi Uji Yamada 59

The main shrine building of this Shinto shrine is believed to be Japan’s oldest example of shrine architecture and is dedicated to Prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko, Emperor Ojin, and Emperor Nintoku. The main shrine building, a National Treasure, is thatched with hinoki bark and is flanked on either side by inner shrines. All three buildings are built in the same nagare-zukuri architectural style. The front shrine standing in front of the main shrine building, a National Treasure, is built with hinoki cypress felled in the early Heian period and is a rare example of the ancient shinden-zukuri architectural style. In 1994, the entire grounds of the shrine were registered as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” World Heritage listing.

Beautiful cherry trees within the shrine area:A must see during the sakura-season. Also beautifully located at the Uji-River - really worth a visit.
Heian Jingu Shrine

3.5

10 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Okazakinishitennouchou

A Shinto shrine located in Sakyo Ward in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture which was erected in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the foundation of the ancient capital of Heian-Kyo. The shrine is dedicated to Emperor Kammu and Emperor Komei. The main shrine building is a 5/8th scale replica of the Heian-Kyo government reception hall used during the time of Emperor Kammu. The shrine’s solemn vermillion lacquered buildings roofed with green glazed tiles and the white gravel covering the grounds are a spectacle to behold. The surrounding Japanese garden is strolling garden built around a central pond which is divided into four separate sections filled with splendid flowering plants and trees appropriate to the four seasons. The shrine is also famous for its weeping cherry trees in spring.

明治時代に建てられたという平安神宮の応天門は、平安京の応天門の5/8スケールのレプリカだということですが、とても大きく立派です。この門より大きい平安京の応天門が消失してしまったのは、とても残念に思いました。
Imamiya-jinja Shrine

4.0

214 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kita-ku Murasakinoimamiyachou 21

A Shinto shrine located in Kita Ward, Kyoto City distinguished by its vivid red lacquering. The shrine is also called Tamanokoshi-jinja (the Shrine of the Jeweled Palanquin). The shrine was established to alleviate infectious disease and disasters in downtown Kyoto during the Heian period, and the shrine attracts faithful seeking sound health and long life. Venerable shops selling aburi mochi rice cakes stand in front of the shrine’s East Gate, and it is said eating these wards away disease and evil. The Yasurai Festival, held since the shrine’s founding to ward away infectious disease, is officially designated a national Important Intangible Folk-Cultural Property as the Yasurai-bana, and is held each year on the second Sunday of April.

A shrine in Kita Ward, Kyoto City that you should visit along with Daitokuji Temple. Compared to major tourist spots, there are relatively few people and the atmosphere is quiet, so you can visitthe...
Mikane-jinja Shrine

4.0

147 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Oshinishinotoincho 614

買い物帰りに立ち寄ってみました。最近はテレビの影響で人が多いのですが授与所の開設営業時間外であれば意外と空いています。ただしお守り等購入はできません。年末年始の営業時間がHPに載っていたので書いておきます↓ 「授与所の開設時間（年末年始2021−2022）」 -12月30日・31日・・・午前10時-午後6時 -1月1日-10日・・・・午前9時-午後6時 -1月11日以降は・・・午前10時...
Nishiki Tenman-gu Shrine

4.0

243 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Nakagyo-ku Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Shinkyogoku communication Nishikikoji

A Shinto shrine located in Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City dedicated to the Tenman-Tenjin (Sugawara no Michizane). The shrine is located on the eastern edge of Nishiki Market, considered the “Kitchen of Kyoto,” and attracts worshipers seeking to be blessed by the god of wisdom, scholarship, and business acumen, as well as good luck, warding from evil, and prevention of disaster. There is a mikuji (fortune slip) vending machine called Karakuri mikuji in front of the shrine office – insert a coin and select the type of fortune you would like to receive and the lion-dog statue in the machine will dance to kagura music until your slip is issued. The shrine’s ground span some 660 square meters and contain a spring called the Nishiki no Mizu whose waters remain a cool 18 degrees Celsius even in the middle of summer; many visitors come here just to taste these famous Kyoto waters.

This small shrine in the shopping district of Kyoto is hard to miss if youre on the shopping trail. It is a very nicely maintained small shrine just of Shinkyogoku.
Jishu-jinja Shrine

4.0

183 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Kiyomizu 1-317

A Shinto shrine located just to the north of the main sanctuary in the Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto that is popular with young women and couples due to its dedication to a god of marriage. There are two love fortune-telling stones located 10 meters apart from each other on the grounds and it is said one will achieve true love if one is able to reach one stone from the other while your eyes are closed. The main shrine, front shrine, and main gate are nationally designated Important Cultural Properties. In 1994, due to certain historical details, it was registered as part of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple under the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto World Heritage Site. The temple is also home to the famous Jishu Cherry, so beautiful it is said Emperor Saga turned his carriage around three times to view it again and also seen as the origin of the Japanese people’s love of cherry blossoms.

This is the best! I have been there 8 years ago and my wish came true.Thank God! I visited there again and the staff are nice. Atmosphere is good! you must try the Love stone :P
Higashi Tennou Okazaki-jinja Shrine

4.0

112 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Okazakihigashitennouchou 51

This is one of the Shinto shrines built under imperial orders of Emperor Kanmu to protect the imperial palace during the relocation of the capital, Heiankyo, in 794. The enshrined deities Susano-no-Mikoto and Kushinada-Hime-no-Mikoto were blessed with many children, so many believers visit the shrine to pray for conception and safe child delivery. Since there are wild rabbits inhabiting the land around the shrine, it is said that the messenger of the enshrined deity is also a rabbit and there are cute images of rabbits all around including child conception rabbits, guardian rabbits and beckoning rabbits.

Lovely to see so many rabbits around. We reached here the last 15 minutes before its closing time. Check out the rabbit charms here, cant resist getting a few of them. Note:There are no real...
Kurumazaki-jinja Shrine

4.0

118 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagasahichou 23

A Shinto shrine located in the Saga area of Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City dedicated to Kiyohara no Yorinari, a Confucian scholar who lived in the late Heian period. Kiyohara no Yorinari is seen as a god of luck with money, prosperous business, luck in finding marriage, and the warding away of evil. The shrine has a custom whereby visitors can purchase a stone from the shrine office and make a wish; the shrine piles the stones of successful wish-makers in front of the main shrine. The grounds also contain a shrine dedicated to Ame no Uzume, the goddess of performing arts, which is famous for the many performers and entertainers who come to visit it. On the third Sunday of May, the shrine holds the Three Boats Festival on the Oi River on Mt. Arashi, an event which recreates the boating the nobility would engage in during the Heian period.

I had chance to visit this shrine during Mantosai Festival (middle of Audust), and lanterns were really beautiful. You can also buy it for 500 yen and hang it by yourself.
Kono-jinja Shrine

4.0

182 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Miyadushi Ogaki 430

This ancient Shinto shrine has held the Aoi Festival every April for the past 2,500 years, and is formally recognized as the most important provincial shrine of the old Tango prefecture. The main enshrined deity is Hiko-Hoakari-no-Mikoto.

天橋立の観光船の発着場である一の宮桟橋から徒歩で2分程度のところにある神社です。現在、伊勢神宮外宮に祀られている『豊受大神』が、元はこの神社に祀られていることもあり、『元伊勢』とも称されていますが、神社そのものは小ぢんまりとしており、境内を周遊するだけであれば1時間も要さないくらいです。天橋立の南端に位置する智恩寺の方が、天橋立駅から徒歩で数分でアクセス出来るからか、智恩寺の方が参拝客が多く、その...
Fujimori-jinja Shrine

4.0

96 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Fukakusatorisakichou 609

A Shinto shrine located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. There are various theories regarding its establishment, but it is said that this is the site where Empress Jingu buried and enshrined an array of armaments in 203. During the Fujimori Festival held on May 5, an event called the Kakeuma Shinji is held—horseback riders perform stunts such as head stands and riding sideways, attracting throngs of visitors. Known as a shrine dedicated to luck in victory, scholarship, and horses, the shrine is frequently visited by people with an interest in horse racing.

On the last day of the Fujimori Festival, there was a cantering horse ritual. It was a day of spectacular and impressive performances. The sense of urgency and excitement of performing the technique...
Uji-jinja Shrine

3.5

157 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Ujishi Uji Yamada 1

This Shinto shrine is dedicated to Ujinowaki Iratsuko-no-Mikoto, son of Emperor Ojin. The enshrined deity had made this land his home when, according to the legend, he got lost on the way to Uji from Kawachi province. A divine messenger in the form of a rabbit called a “Mikaeri Usagi” (turning back rabbit) guided him back by hopping along a little way and then looking back as if to say, “Follow me,” before hopping on a little further. As such the omikuji fortunes are contained in cute little ceramic rabbits.

Not worth a visit although its on route to the Genji museum and Ujigami shrine. However the Ujigami shrine is also not worth it. Havent visited the museum though. Its free so no loss except your...

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour Shrine

Kyoto Areas

Its wooden tea houses, shuffling geisha, and spiritual sights have seen Kyoto hailed as the heart of traditional Japan, a world apart from ultramodern Tokyo. Despite being the Japanese capital for over a century, Kyoto escaped destruction during World War II, leaving behind a fascinating history which can be felt at every turn, from the fully gold-plated Kinkakuji Temple down to traditional customs such as geisha performances and tea ceremonies, which are still practiced to this day.