Kamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine) | Review by Holly

Kamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi Shrine)

This is the oldest shrine in Kyoto, with a history of more than 2,600 years since the arrival of its god in the Kamishiro period. The shrine grounds are lined with more than 60 shrines and temples, including two National Treasures and 41 Important Cultural Properties.

31 Aug 2026 See More

I happened to catch the Kamigamo Handicraft Market, held at Kamigamo Shrine on the fourth Sunday of every month. I have to say, Japan's handicraft markets are really great for shopping. The vendors aren't just local Japanese people—you'll also see international artists taking part. They sell everything from fabric goods, leather items, pottery, and woodwork to household goods, and many of the pieces aren't just attractive but also highly practical. Some stalls even clear out materials or unfinished items at very reasonable prices.

Because of that, even though I hadn't particularly planned on buying anything, I ended up shopping the whole way through. The item that left the strongest impression on me was an orange canvas bag with cowhide handles. I still use it today, and it's truly very durable. The market also has some food stalls, but they mostly sell small baked goods, coffee, and handmade snacks rather than full meals. So if you plan to stay for a while, I'd recommend eating beforehand. The market is currently held from 9:00 to 15:00 on the fourth Sunday of every month, so check the date in advance if you want to catch it.

Another thing I really like about visiting in summer is the stream that runs through the shrine grounds where the market is held. When you get hot from browsing, you can take a walk by the water. Lots of children play in the stream. If you plan to visit in summer, I'd recommend bringing an extra towel or a pair of sandals so you can play in the water more easily. After all, this kind of atmosphere is rarely seen in Taiwan.

As for the shrine itself, Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine are both important shrines for the Kamo Festival, also known as the Aoi Festival. Both have striking vermilion tower gates, but they felt different to me. Shimogamo Shrine's gate feels grander, while Kamigamo Shrine's feels a little more refined and elegant. That may also have something to do with the large lawns, streams, and more open surroundings.

I visited near the end of cherry blossom season, so I wasn't expecting much. To my surprise, the large weeping cherry tree on the grounds still had blossoms, so I was very lucky. It was also almost May and just before the Kamo Kurabeuma horse race, so I saw riders and horses moving around the grounds. Kamigamo Shrine's Kamo Kurabeuma is held every year on May 5 and is an ancient equestrian ritual that has continued for over 900 years. Just seeing the horses being prepared was already very impressive, though unfortunately I didn't get to see the actual event this time.

There is also a sacred horse stable on the grounds, and I was lucky enough to see the white horse this time. Kamigamo Shrine has long had deep ties to horse worship and equestrian rituals, so everything from the sacred horse to the Kamo Kurabeuma gives this shrine a distinctive character that's less common among other shrines in Kyoto. Of the shrine items, my favorite is still the rabbit-shaped fortune slip. The tiny rabbit is truly adorable and is one of their signature items.

Overall, I really like Kamigamo Shrine. If you happen to visit on the fourth Sunday of the month when the handicraft market is held, I highly recommend setting aside half a day to browse at a leisurely pace, plus about another hour to properly visit the shrine grounds. That will pretty much fill the day. If you're even luckier, you may come across a Shinto wedding. I saw a bride in a white shiromuku kimono here, and she fit the atmosphere of the shrine beautifully.

Other Reviews by Holly

Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple

Located near the Tokyo Tsukiji Market, Tsukiji Hongwanji is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji Sect, whose head temple is Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto.
- Tsukiji, Odaiba, Toyosu
- Shrines & Temples
21 Sep 2026 See More

Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple was originally just a place I planned to stop by on my way to Tsukiji Market, but after seeing it in person, its architecture ended up leaving a deep impression on me. The current main hall was designed by architectural historian Chuta Ito, and its exterior has a strong Indian and South Asian Buddhist architectural style. The dome, stonework, and overall silhouette are completely different from what you would normally picture as a Japanese temple.

But what is really interesting is that when you get closer, you notice that it still retains much of the refinement distinctive to Japanese architecture. The animal carvings, decorative details, stained glass, and interior furnishings do not simply copy an Indian style. They incorporate a lot of Japanese aesthetics and craftsmanship, so the building looks very foreign overall, yet very Japanese when viewed closely. This kind of blend is truly uncommon among Japanese temples.

There is also a large pipe organ inside the main hall, which is quite unusual in a Buddhist temple. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited in the worship area. Otherwise, the contrast between the interior and exterior would be even more striking, since the inside of the main hall looks much like many other Hongwanji temples.

The Tsumugi cafe next to Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple is also well known, and its signature offering is the “18-Dish Breakfast,” which lets you try a variety of small Japanese dishes at once. I did not pay much attention to the breakfast hours this time, which was a bit of a shame. If you are planning to continue on to Tsukiji Market for food afterward, I would recommend watching how much you eat, or you may end up full before you even explore the market.
Osu Kannon Temple

This temple is the branch headquarters of Shingon Sect, Chisan School, officially called “Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin Temple ”. It started in Hashima City, Gifu and moved to the current location by General Tokugawa Iyeyasu’s order. It is regarded as one of Japan’s Three Kannon Temples along with Asakusa Kannon in Tokyo and Tsu Kannon in Mie.
- Nagoya
- Shrines & Temples
20 Sep 2026 See More

Osu Kannon Temple itself is well worth exploring carefully. Its vermilion main hall is quite striking, and the temple grounds feel more lively and down-to-earth than I had expected, without an overly formal sense of distance. The temple enshrines Kannon Bodhisattva and is one of Nagoya’s most prominent temples devoted to Kannon worship. What impressed me most during my visit was actually the large number of pigeons on the grounds. They often fight over food in front of the main hall, and it can be a little scary when a large flock takes off at once. They are not particularly aggressive, but you should still be careful if you feed them.

Like Sensoji Temple, this temple is often said to be a place where it is relatively easy to draw a bad-luck fortune. Fortunately, I have visited several times and have always drawn good luck, so I am quite grateful for Kannon’s care. In addition to the main hall, the grounds also include a bell tower, Niomon Gate, and purification pavilion. The amulets and other items available here are also distinctive.

Near the bell tower, there is also a mechanical puppet display called “Muneharu Ranman,” which performs automatically every day at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, and 18:30. It is themed around Tokugawa Muneharu, lord of the Owari Domain. If you are interested, you can time your visit to see it.
Kurashiki Denim Street

Kurashiki Denim Street is a specialty spot for denim from Kojima, Kurashiki City, known as the birthplace of Japanese-made jeans. It offers a wide range of denim products, including Kojima-made jeans, bags, accessories, and interior goods, with easy-to-shop sections for men, women & kids, and miscellaneous goods. One of its charms is being able to casually experience “Kurashiki denim” while comparing differences in texture and finish.
- Okayama
- Miscellaneous Goods
13 Sep 2026 See More

Kurashiki Denim Street is located in the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. I had seen it featured on a Japanese TV show before, and it is best known for its blue “denim buns” and “denim soft-serve ice cream.” But after seeing the actual color, I suddenly lost my appetite and decided not to try them after all.

Although it is called “Denim Street,” it is actually more like a small alley-style shopping area with denim products from brands based in Kojima. Everything throughout the area, from the signs and decorations to the merchandise, uses a lot of blue, making it stand out sharply amid the white walls and black roof tiles of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.

What is interesting about this place is that it is not just a “blue photo spot.” It is genuinely connected to Kurashiki’s local industries. Kojima in particular has a long history of developing textile- and denim-related industries and is also an important birthplace of domestically produced Japanese jeans. So the abundance of denim elements in Kurashiki is not a forced tourism theme, but part of the local industry.

Once, while riding the train, I happened to see high school students heading home from school, and their uniform jackets had a denim-like look. That was something I never could have imagined when I was a student. It was really unique to see the local industry blend so naturally into everyday life.

If your itinerary does not leave enough time for a separate trip to Kojima, Kurashiki Denim Street is a good alternative for a simple introduction to denim culture. People interested in jeans, canvas, and fabric products will find more to browse. Even for general tourists, it can be treated as a small, highly distinctive spot within the Bikan Historical Quarter.

As a side note, the public restroom near the back of Denim Street is also very nicely designed and blends harmoniously with the surrounding scenery. Even small details like this make it clear that Kurashiki puts a lot of care into its tourist spaces.