Shrine Spots in Kyoto Area

Area

Kyoto
- Japan
- Hokkaido / Tohoku
  
  Hokkaido
  
  Aomori
  
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- Kanto
  
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  Saitama
  
  Chiba
  
  Tokyo
  
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- Koshinetsu / Hokuriku
  
  Niigata
  
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  Kyoto
  
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  Hyogo
  
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  Wakayama
- Chugoku
  
  Tottori
  
  Shimane
  
  Okayama
  
  Hiroshima
  
  Yamaguchi
- Shikoku
  
  Tokushima
  
  Kagawa
  
  Ehime
  
  Kochi
- Kyushu / Okinawa
  
  Fukuoka
  
  Saga
  
  Nagasaki
  
  Kumamoto
  
  Oita
  
  Miyazaki
  
  Kagoshima
  
  Okinawa

Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Shrine

Kawai-jinja Shrine

4.0

128 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Shimogamoizumigawachou

This Shinto shrine is dedicated to the guardian deity of women, Tamayori-Hime-no-Mikoto. From time immemorial it has been known as a place to govern female beauty and is a place to pray for beauty, safe delivery or marriage. The votive card with a face depicted on it has makeup applied from a makeup set on the front, and on the rear wishes and names are written. This so called “mirror votive card” is rare, and it is a popular shrine for female visitors.

鏡絵馬を奉納する女性の為の神社。下鴨神社の入り口にあります。鏡絵馬は800円。色鉛筆で可愛く描きます。お子様連れでも楽しいかも知れないです。
Yoshida-jinja Shrine

4.0

101 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Yoshidakaguraokachou 30

A Shinto shrine located on Mt. Yoshida in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The shrine was founded to protect the capital of Heian-kyo by Fujiwara no Yamakage in 859. The gods enshrined in its first and second halls ward against evil and provide good fortune. The god in the third hall is dedicated to scholarship, while the god of the fourth hall grants special favor to women. The shrine is famous for its Setsubun Festival, a tradition which dates back to the Muromachi period (1333–1568) and which is held for three days centering around Setsubun (the last day of winter in the traditional calendar). Visited by hundreds of thousands each year, the grounds bustle with shrinegoers seeking prayer slips to ward off evil and gardenia colored amulets sold at its many stands.

This temple is is a must to visit while in Kyoto. For good photos I recommend to be at this place in an early morning before it gets too crowded.
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Otabisho

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Minami-ku Nishikujouikenouchichou 98

Located about five minutes on foot from Kyoto Station in Minami Ward, Kyoto City, this is the spot where Fushimi Inari's mikoshi (portable shrine) is stored. Tourists and locals pour in for the annual Inari Festival from late April to early May when the precincts are lined with a variety of stalls. During this time visitors can receive a goshuin, the shrine's official stamp.
Izumo Daijingu Shrine

4.0

70 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kameokashi Chitosechouchitose No way out

Izumo Daijingu Shrine is famous as a shrine for marriage. There is an abundance of things to see including the Meoto-iwa that links the red strings of fate attached to marriage charms, the miraculous Manai water that gushes from Mt. Mikage as the goshintaizan (mountain worshiped as the sacred dwelling place of a deity or deities) and the iwakura where good fortune resides. Prayers for marriage are held on the fourth Sunday of every month.

いろんな神様が祀られていて、賽銭箱もたくさんありました。さほど大きくない神社だけど七五三や結婚式のポスターも貼られていて、御朱印もやってもらえました。枯葉で作られたハートが、さすが縁結びの神社だなと楽しくなりました。
Toyokuni-jinja Shrine

3.5

72 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi Higashiyama-ku Yamato-dori-dori Front Chayamachi 530

This is a Shinto shrine in the Higashiyama district dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Abandoned with the fall of Toyotomi and the orders of the House of Tokugawa, it was nevertheless rebuilt later under the imperial command of Emperor Meiji. The karamon gate, a remnant of Fushimi Castle, represents Momoyama culture and is designated a National Treasure. There are also several Important Cultural Properties on display including Hideyoshi’s six-legged Chinese-style chest stored in the shrine sanctuary.

豊臣秀吉を祀る神社で、京都十六社の一社です。また刀剣「骨喰藤四郎」の聖地としても話題の神社。『唐門』は元は伏見城の楼門だったと言われ、国宝に指定されています。一時期、豊臣家の滅亡により、豊国神社は廃社になり、豊国大明神の神号も剥奪されました。ところが豊国神社のご神体は秘かに京都市東山区の妙法院で祭られ、江戸時代の中頃からは同じく東山区の新日吉（いまひえ）神宮で別名にて祭られます。神様になっても秀吉...
Mikami-jinja Shrine

3.5

82 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagaogurayamatabuchiyamachou 10-2

This is Japan’s only shrine for hair. Inside the grounds there is a mound for the hair that has been offered, and in each year’s grand festivals people give thanks to the blessing they receive from hair through the thanksgiving service and the memorial service for hair.

A small temple in the woods next to a lake, not really worth seeing unless if you are near it. It isn’t as crowded as the other temples, however.
Kenkun-jinja Shrine

4.0

49 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kita-ku Murasakinokitafunaokachou 49

This is a Shinto shrine dedicated to Oda Nobunaga, erected in 1869 by Emperor Meiji. On October 19th each year the Funaoka Taisai festival is held to commemorate Nobunaga’s entry to Kyoto, with offerings of Atsumori dancing and music. Since the shrine is on a small hill, it overlooks the beautiful scenery of Mt. Hiei and Mt. Daimonji. It also houses Important Cultural Assets including the Yoshimoto Samonji sword and the Shincho Koki (Biography of Oda Nobunaga).

멋모르고 올라가면 얼떨결에 갈 수 있다 완전 등산임 끝낭덕 같으면서 계속 올라가야만 한다 화장실 가는 것도 오르고 계속 가야만 한다 화장실 더럽다 휴지 없고 소비세에서 거ㅏㄴ리한다는데 내가 낸 소비세에서 휴지 살 돈이 없는지 암튼 오르다 정상까지 가면 후회는 없다 전망 끝내준다 다시 가라면 자신 없음 ㅡ
Kyoto Ryozen Gokoku jinja Shrine

4.0

88 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Seikanjiryousanchou 1

A Shinto shrine located in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City that was established to honor patriots who worked to promote the reformation at the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. The grounds contain tombstones and cenotaphs dedicated to figures such as Sakamoto Ryoma, Nakaoka Shintaro, and Kido Takayoshi, as well as a Showa Shrine Grove commemorating military service. The adjoining Ryozen Museum of History exhibits literature and other materials related to the Meiji Restoration. On November 15, the birthday of Sakamoto Ryoma, the Ryoma Festival is held to comfort souls who benefited from his efforts. A key autumn event in Kyoto, the festival attracts throngs of people.

Gokoku Jinjya is a shrine which is dedicated to fallen soldiers. But this one in Kyoto is different from other Gokoku Shrines, because there are graves of heroes at Bakumatsu, end of Edo Shogunate...
Gokonomiya-jinja Shrine

4.0

86 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Gokougumonzenchou 174

A Shinto shrine located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City dedicated to Empress Jingu, the goddess of easy childbirth. Originally called Mimoro-jinja Shrine, it was given the name Gokonomiya (the Fragrant Shrine) by Emperor Seiwa when a spring welled forth on the grounds that carried a wonderful fragrance and was found to cure illness. The shrines Fushimi Festival, which involves a parade of the principle object of worship and which is held at the beginning of October, is considered the best such festival in the country. The parade includes a pair of lion-dogs, three portable shrines, a parade of people in samurai dress, and great numbers of parishioners. On the 1st and the 8th, artful flower umbrellas are carried around by parishioners from around the area, who party late into the night.

Fushimi is located in the southern part of Kyoto City, and known with a famous Merchants guardian deity, Fushimi Inari Shrine. The number of the visitors to the shrine scores the biggest in Kyoto...
Ichihime-jinja Shrine

4.0

44 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Kawaramachigojou Below the First Level Nishijiru

This was built in 795 by Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu under orders of Emperor Kammu. The enshrined deities are all goddesses, and as successive generations of empress believed in the shrine as a protector of women it is famous for helping with marriage, children and childbirth. The card-shaped charms are popular.

great street food heading up to the shrine as well, more beautiful in person than any photos you see
Taiho-jinja Shrine

4.0

73 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Shishigatanimiyanomaechou 1

"This shrine has an extremely rare ""koma nezumi,"" named for the myth found in the Kojiki in which a mouse saved Okuninushi when caught in a scheme and surrounded by wildfire. It receives veneration as a place to improve school marks, relationships, and health without disease."

If you blink you can miss this shrine, it is not well directed to so youll need to locate it on a more detailed map of the area.
Ebisu-jinja Shrine

4.0

75 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Yamatoojishijou South

Kyoto Ebisu-jinja Shrine is one of the three great Ebisus of Japan. Known by the nickname “Ebessan,” the place is believed to help promote business success. The 10th of January is said to be Ebisu’s birthday, so every year on this day there is held the Toka Ebisu festival.

Small shrine near Gion - nice place - takes a few minutes to view. Very peaceful and quiet - didnt see too many tourists there
Nashinoki-jinja Shrine

3.5

80 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto-shi Kamigyo-ku Teramachi-dori Hirokoji Road

This is a Shinto shrine built in 1885 and dedicated to leading Meiji Restoration figures Sanjo Sanetomi and his father Sanetsumu. The ritual cleansing water is one of Kyoto’s three famous waters, “Somei,” and is the only type of its kind. It is also a place famous for Japanese clover, with a clover festival held from mid to late September.

駐車場と道路側から鳥居を潜ろうと近付くとその先にマンションらしき建築物があり、迂回しないと境内に進めませんでした。横から境内に入るのは違和感がありましたが、参道から先に進むと以前と同様の雰囲気でした。年末に参拝したのですが、観光客らしい姿がちらほら見受けられましたが、境内は閑散としていました。
Shiramine Shrine

4.0

62 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Kamigyou-ku Asukaichou 261

A Shinto shrine located in Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward dedicated to Emperor Sutoku and Emperor Junnin. The shrine was founded by Emperor Meiji in 1868, the first year of the Meiji period, to solidify the foundations of the Meiji Restoration. The land was once the site of the residence of the Asuka clan, originators of a traditional sport called kemari as well as waka poetry. Accordingly, the temple also dedicated to Seidai Myojin, god of ball games, sports, and public performance, and the shrine is visited by many interested in and involved in soccer and other sports. During the shrine’s Seidai Myojin Matsuri (Tanabata Festival), performances of a dance called the Komachi Odori and games of kemari are offered to the gods, an event which remains widely familiar to locals as an essential part of summer.

白峯神宮は、明治時代になって建てられた神社です。御祭神を崇徳天皇、淳仁天皇で「鞠」の神様として有名な神宮です。また境内には天然記念物樹齢800年と言われる小賀玉の木があります。
Oharano-jinja Shrine

4.0

41 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nishikyou-ku Oharanominamikasugachou 1152

A Shinto shrine located in Oharano, Nishikyo Ward founded in 784 by Empress Consort Fujiwara no Otomuro, originally of the Fujiwara clan, in Nagaoka-kyo to enshrine the patron gods of the Kasuga-taisha in Nara. The main shrine building standing today was constructed in 850, as were the Kasuga-zukuri style inner shrine and Koisawano-ike Pond modeled after Sarusawa-ike Pond. Today, the shrine is a widely renowned site for viewing fall foliage, with the approximately 200 meter long approach to the shrine becoming a deep red tunnel bustling with visitors during the season.

The actual building is a reconstruction of Edo Period, but the origin of this shrine remounts to the foundation of Nagaokakyo. So, it is a very old temple. As it is not easily accessible by public...
Jonan-gu Shrine

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Fushimi-ku Nakajimatobarikyuchou 7

A Shinto shrine in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City known as Katayoke no taisha (the Direction Warding Shrine). Emperor Shirakawa had a grand villa built here in the Heian period after his retirement, making the area into a political and cultural center. Rites were conducted here to pray for the emperor’s safety when he traveled to visit the temples of Kumano and the temple is still strongly popular among the faithful today for providing divine aid with construction, manufacturing, moving to a new location, traveling, and traffic safety. Visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers in the temple’s spacious garden. The temple holds Kyokusui no utage (Meandering Stream Banquets) in spring and autumn, events which are famed as displays of imperial elegance.
Kumano Nyakuoji-jinja Shrine

4.0

43 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Nyakuoujichou 2

Kumano Nyakuoji-jinja Shrine is counted as one of Kyoto’s three Kumano shrines. The shrine’s sacred trees, 400 year old nagi conifers, were used as trees in purification ceremonies for people visiting Ise and Kumano shrines. There is a cherry blossom festival on the first Sunday of every April, crowded with people who come to appreciate the Taisho koto (Japanese harp with two to five strings) or shigin (Chinese poem recital) performances. It is also a famous spot for viewing the changing leaves in autumn.

This shrine has an unusual attraction, it must be the lanterns that adorn the exterior. If there visit it, but dont need to go out of your way.
Himukai Daijingu Shrine

4.0

51 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Yamashina-ku Hinokaissaikyoudanichou 29

Himukai Daijingu Shrine is the oldest shrine in Kyoto. Long ago it was called by such names as Himukai-miya, Himukai-jingu, Awadaguchi-shinmeigu, and Hioka-shinmeigu. Celebrated as the Ise of Kyoto, many travelers used to visit to pray for a safe journey, and believers who couldn't make the long trip to Ise-jingu Grand Shrine would often worship there instead. The surrounding mountains are the actual objects of worship, and the precincts are filled with ancient hinoki cypress and Japanese cedar trees. There are also cherry trees and azalea, so visitors can enjoy beautiful views whatever the season.

４／２に訪問。蹴上の駅から京都駅へ帰るのに少し時間があったので、こちらにも立ち寄り。登り始めのあたりには桜があるけど、上へあがってしまうと桜は本殿下のところにわずかにあるくらいです。ただ社務所の上の山には、たぶんミツバツツジだと思いますが、見事に咲いていました。
Motoisenaiku Kotai-jinja Shrine

4.0

46 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Fukuchiyamashi Oechounaiku 217

With one of only two instances of unbarked timber torii shrine gates nationwide, prestigious Motoisenaigu Kotai-jinja Shrine is said to have been established 54 years before Mie Prefecture's Ise-jingu Grand Shrine. It honors Toyouke-no-Okami, an agricultural deity. Two sub-shrines are on either side of the main hall and are surrounded by over 80 smaller shrines. Many names used in the area are associated with Ise-jingu Grand Shrine.

大江山口内宮駅から一の鳥居までは徒歩5分ほど。そこから社殿までは約230段の石段と坂道を進まなければならない。紀元前の創建。祭神の天照皇大神に祀られる前に一時的に遷座した地のため「元伊勢」と呼ばれる。拝殿は吹き放ち。本殿は木造茅葺。社殿を取り囲むように数多くの境内社の祠が立ち並んでいる。境内には樹齢2000年、高さ30mの御神木「龍灯の杉」が聳え、神聖な空気が漂っている。
Yuki-jinja Shrine

4.0

72 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Kuramahonchou 1073

A historic Shinto shrine established in 940 located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. The shrine is also located on the grounds of the Kurumadera temple. The shrine is famous for the Kurama Fire Festival held here each year on October 22, one of Kyoto’s three most unique festivals. The main shrine and front shrine were rebuilt in 1607 by Toyotomi Hideyori. The front shrine is unusually bisected by a central passageway is a nationally designated Important Cultural Property. A great cedar tree 53 meters tall believed to be some 800 years old stands on the grounds and gives off an ethereal atmosphere. In recent years, it has come to attract a large number of visitors as a mystical power spot.

鞍馬駅から徒歩10分ほど。 940年に鞍馬寺の鎮守社として創建。祭神は由岐大明神(大己貴命、少彦名命)。現社殿は豊臣秀頼(秀吉の子)により1607年に再建されたもの。鳥居のすぐ先にある建物が拝殿(国重要文化財)。「割拝殿」という変わった形をしており、中央に石段状の通路が設けられている。通常の神社は拝殿前で参拝を行うが、この神社ではその通路を抜けて本殿前で参拝を行う。本殿前には樹齢約800年の御神木...

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.