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Shimogamo Jinja Shrine

A World Heritage Site with a vast forest

One of the oldest shrines in Kyoto,
Its official name is Kamomioja Shrine.
Together with Kamo Betsurai-jinja Shrine (Kamigamo Shrine), also located in Kyoto City, the two shrines are called Kamo Jinja.

The shrine grounds are designated as a historic site,
Kamo Goso-jinja Two buildings, the East Main Hall and the West Main Hall, are designated as National Treasures,
The two East and West Main Buildings of Kamo Goso-jinja Shrine are designated as National Treasures, and 31 buildings, including the tower gate, the Mai-den (dance hall), the Shinfuku-den (Shinto dress hall), and the Shikyaku-chumon (four-legged gate) are registered as Important Cultural Properties.
It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites “Cultural Properties of Ancient Kyoto.

East and West Temples

The main hall is to the right (east hall), where Tamayohime-no-mikoto, the mother of Kamo-betsurai-no-mikoto (the deity of Kamigamo Shrine), is enshrined,
On the left (west) is enshrined Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto, the grandfather of Kamo Betsurai-no-Okami (father of Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto).
This is why the shrine was named Kamo Gosojinsha.

The kinshi and yatagarasu (three-legged crow) are incarnations of Kamo Kakkakushinomikoto.

Purifying holy water

There is a pond called "Mitarashi Ike" in front of the Mitarashi Shrine on the shrine grounds, which is used for Shinto rituals,
It is also used for Shinto rituals.

The water from the Mitarashi-Sha is the holy water for the purification of the Saio-dai during the Aoi Matsuri (hollyhock festival),
The water of Mitarashi-sha is holy water used for purification of the Saio-dai during the Aoi Matsuri.

The water in the Mitarashi-Sha is holy water for purification of the Saioji and can be drunk,
The water can be used for fortune-telling by dipping it into the Mitarashi Pond.

There is a theory that this pond is the origin of Mitarashi dumplings.

Guardian God of the Zodiac

Kotobuki-sha is also famous as the guardian deity of the Chinese zodiac and has been worshipped since ancient times,
It is the guardian deity of the year of birth from the year "ne" to the year "y",
Each shrine has its own shrine and deity.

God of marriage

The Aioi-no-Yashira shrine has a sacred tree called "Renri-no-sakaki," which is made up of two trees joined halfway into one, and is famous as the god of marriage.

Kagami-ema (votive tablet) in the shape of a hand mirror

Kawai Shrine is a shrine dedicated to the protection of women.
The shrine enshrines Princess Tamayohime no Mikoto, the mother of Emperor Jinmu,
Tama Yori-hime-no-Mikoto is also worshipped as the god of beauty because she is as beautiful as a jade.

The shrine is also dedicated to Tamayohime-no-Mikoto, the mother of Emperor Jinmu,
and write your wish on the back.
The shrine is a place where visitors can make a wish to improve not only their outward appearance but also their inner beauty.

A forest from the Jomon Period

The Tadasunomori Forest, a historical site, is a 36,000-tsubo forest that has lived in the center of Kyoto since the Jomon Period.
It is well known as a precious forest in the city center.

Information

Name
Shimogamo Jinja Shrine
下鴨神社
Link
Official Site
Address
59 Shimogamo-Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Telephone number
075-781-0010
Hours of operation

Opening and closing hours: 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hours of admission: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Closed

Open all year round

Admission fee

Admission fee
Adult: 500 yen per person
Children: 250 yen per child (up to 6th grade)

Access

By car
From Kyoto East Interchange
From the Kyoto East Interchange on the expressway, follow the road along Sanjo Street,
Pass in front of the Westin Miyako Hotel Kyoto and go straight to Kawaramachi Dori,
Turn right at the Sanjo Kawaramachi Dori intersection and continue straight (approximately 10 minutes),
Cross the Aoi Bridge and go straight (about 10 minutes) from the traffic light at the end of crossing.
Turn right at the fourth traffic light (Lawson is on the left side).

From Kyoto Minami Interchange 
Take Route 1 in a northerly direction (to Horikawa) → Turn right at Horikawa Gojo (about 10 minutes)
Turn right at Horikawa Gojo (to Kawaramachi) → Turn left at Kawaramachi Gojo
Turn left at Kawaramachi-Gojo (follow the road for a while)
After crossing the Aoi Bridge, turn right at the fourth traffic light (there is a Lawson on the left side).

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