Yasaka Shrine Overview
Yasaka Shrine is located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, and is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto. It is especially famous for the Gion Festival, held annually in July, which is one of the three major festivals in Japan. Yasaka Shrine is also close to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Maruyama Park, and other tourist attractions, making it a place where visitors can feel the atmosphere of Kyoto's ancient capital.
History and Benefits
Yasaka Shrine is a historic shrine built in the Heian period (794-1185) and was founded in the Kamuyo period (794-1185). The main deity is Susanono-no-mikoto, who is believed to bring good luck for marriage, prosperous business, and easy childbirth. The shrine grounds, with its beautiful romon (gate), haiden (hall of worship), and shrine office, exudes a sense of history and dignity.
Gion Festival and Its Attractions
The most attractive feature of Yasaka Shrine is the Gion Festival. The Gion Festival is a festival centering on the Mikoshi, a portable shrine of Yasaka Shrine, and its splendor and power attracts many visitors to Kyoto. The Gion Festival includes a number of events, such as the Yamahoko Junko parade on July 1 and the Yoiyama festival on July 17.
Shrines and shrines on the grounds of Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine is home to a variety of shrines and Shinto shrines, each with its own history and meaning. For example, there is Izumo-taisha, a regent shrine, and Okuni-no-kami Shrine, a terminal shrine, which can be visited for further blessings.
Access to Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine is conveniently accessible by bus or subway from Kyoto City. In particular, it can be reached on foot from Gion-Shijo Station or the "Gion" stop of the Kyoto Municipal Bus. There are many tourist attractions nearby, such as Yasaka-no-to (Yasaka Pagoda), Kodaiji Temple, and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, making it a worthwhile place for tourists to visit.
Thoughts on Visiting
Yasaka Shrine is a historic shrine located in Kyoto City and, along with Kiyomizu Temple, is one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto. I visited Yasaka Shrine on a summer day for the lively summer festival. Stepping into the shrine, I found a unique atmosphere.
The approach to Yasaka Shrine was cobblestone paved and lined with trees on both sides. Both sides of the approach were lined with stalls and summer festival stalls, creating a lively atmosphere. The stalls were crowded with locals and tourists alike, selling yakisoba, takoyaki, shaved ice, and other summer foods and drinks.
Once inside the shrine grounds, the main hall, worship hall, and other structures were crowded with worshippers. The main hall had a solemn atmosphere and was a place where worshippers could calm their minds. There were also many trees in the precincts, and the greenery was a pleasant relief from the summer heat.
Every year in July, Yasaka Shrine holds a summer festival called "Gion Matsuri," in which mikoshi (portable shrines) and yamahoko (floats) are paraded through the shrine. On the day I visited, the festival was in full swing, and the parade of mikoshi (portable shrines) and the sound of drums echoed through the streets, making it a very glamorous event. I was able to fully enjoy the festival atmosphere and get a taste of Kyoto's unique culture.
Yasaka Shrine is a place where one can experience not only the summer festival but also the scenery and sacred atmosphere of the four seasons. When you visit Kyoto, be sure to visit Yasaka Shrine as well.