Yasaka Shrine: Kyoto’s Living Tradition

Standing between the Gion and Higashiyama districts, Yasaka Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most vibrant and accessible sanctuaries. With bright vermilion gates and a lantern-lit main hall, it is open day and night — a rare find in Kyoto. The shrine is especially popular during festivals, like the famous Gion Matsuri in July, but it is also an everyday place of prayer for locals. It is the perfect place to soak up the city’s spiritual atmosphere without venturing too far off the beaten path. Tips: • Free and open 24 hours • Visit at sunset when the lanterns begin to glow • Just steps away from Gion’s traditional teahouses and Maruyama Park #yasakashrine