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An ancient shrine with over 1,300-year history since before the relocation of Japan’s capital to Heian-kyo, it is also known as the birthplace of the Gion Festival, and has been highly revered.
The shrine’s deities are Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushiinadahime-no-Mikoto, and Yahashira-no-Mikogami, and it is the head shrine of approximately 2,300 Yasaka Shrine and related shrines with Susanoo-no-Mikoto enshrined scattered throughout Japan. The shrine is said to have been established in 656, when the deity of Mt. Udu in the Silla kingdom was enshrined here. It has been revered as Gion Kanshinin and Gion-sha, and is still called “Gion-san” by the locals.
It is said that when a pandemic broke out in the capital in 869, people prayed to the Yasaka deities to exorcise and control the disease. Since then, it has been highly revered as a god for protection against bad luck. The Gion Festival, one of Japan’s three major festivals, is said to have started with this prayer to prevent epidemics.
The Nishiromon Gate, standing at the east end of Shijo-dori, one of the most prominent streets in Kyoto City, is a symbol of the Higashiyama area and is designated as a national important cultural property. The beautiful vermilion-lacquered gate is eye-catching even from a distance and is a popular photo spot. The Honden (main shrine) where the deities are enshrined is also a national treasure. The current buildings were rebuilt by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the 4th shogun of the Edo period, and the unique architectural style, in which the main shrine and worship hall are covered by a roof, is called Gion-zukuri.
In addition, there are a number of shrines and attractions scattered throughout the large precincts. One of the most popular among women is Utsukushi-Gozensha. It enshrines Munakata Sanjoshin (Triple Goddess of Munakata), who are renowned for their beauty and are worshipped for their beauty benefits. In front of the shrine, there is a sacred spring water known as “beauty water”, which is said to purify your body and spirit by applying it to your skin.
National important cultural property, Nishiromon Gate
National Treasure, the Honden with Gion-Zukuri
Utsukushi-Gozensha enshrines the Triple Goddess of beauty.
The sacred spring water known as beauty water is located in front of the Utsukushi-Gozensha.
The Okuninushi-sha is famous for its virtue of match-making.
The Eki-Jinja enshrines Sominshorai-no-Mikoto, the god of protection against plagues.
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The buildings inside the shrine are really well preserved. The main hall's gorgeous decorations and intricate carvings show off the artistic beauty of traditional Japanese architecture.
The atmosphere with the lanterns lit up at night is absolutely stunning!
Kiyomizu-dera, Chion-in, Maruyama Park, and Hanamikoji are all in the same area, so you can visit them all in one go.
There are all kinds of food stalls lining both sides of the alley. It feels just like a Taiwanese night market—something you rarely see in Japan.
Beautiful shrine! Every summer, they hold the Gion Festival here for a whole month.
