[2025 Kyoto Attraction] Travel Guide for Shimogamo Jinja (Updated Mar)

This place is pretty unique for its horses. We missed a horse show when we came here, but they have horse shows on a specific day of the month. I forgot what day it is, so you will have to check it out. Besides that, they sell fortunes in small clay shaped horses. It's a nice place to visit, I wish we came when there were horses though. #GiveThanks

Kamo Shrine is a historic shrine located in Kyoto✨ One of the must-try experiences there is the Water Fortune! The Water Fortune is a unique way to learn your fortune by floating a piece of paper on water. After drawing your fortune, you immerse it in water, and the characters appear, offering a different kind of fun compared to regular fortunes. Why not give it a try while visiting the shrine? The shrine grounds are spacious and offer a peaceful atmosphere where you can relax your mind.

#tokyotravel Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumigawacho, Sakyo World, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 🇯🇵 Shimogamo Shrine, officially Kamomioya Shrine, is an important Shinto Shrine located in Kyoto. It is one of the oldest Shinto Shrines in Japan and one of the seventeen historical monuments of ancient Kyoto that are registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The shrine is also the venue for one of Kyoto's three major matsuri, or festivals, called Aoi Matsuri or Kamosai, which has been held for over 1,400 years. The main hall of Shimogamo Shrine is one of the oldest historical national treasures in Kyoto. It attracts many tourists to see its beautiful architecture that reflects the culture of the upper class. many people also come here to pray for love ❤️, marriage, and beauty. Inside the shrine, there are other smaller shrines. You can enjoy the natural scenery of the forest and the stream flowing through the vast area, making it look very beautiful. This palace is rich in nature and has a quiet atmosphere, offering a special experience even though it is located in Kyoto City. #historicculture #naturescenery #sakyoward #kyoto #japan

Kyoto is a city of temples and shrines, and after visiting more than a dozen, even the most beautiful ones can start to feel repetitive. But Shimogamo Shrine offers a refreshing experience. Not only are there gods here to bless all kinds of wishes, but there are also many interesting activities. Here are 5 hidden gems to explore: 1. Kimono photos Although there are no kimono rental shops around Shimogamo Shrine, you can rent one at Kiyomizu-dera or Gion and then take a bus here. Although it's a bit of a journey, Shimogamo Shrine is less crowded than Kiyomizu-dera or Gion, so you can enjoy taking beautiful photos in peace. 2. Buy lace omamori and seasonal omamori Shimogamo Shrine's lace omamori cost around JPY 2,000 each and have a unique design. Recently, a seasonal series was launched, so don't miss out if you're looking to buy omamori. 3. Try water fortune-telling (水みくじ) There are water fortunes next to the Mitarashi Pond. Each one costs JPY 300. After drawing a water fortune, place the paper in the pond, and the text will slowly appear, revealing your fortune and six types of luck: wishes, health, wealth, studies/work, love, and travel. 4. Visit the forest handcraft market Shimogamo Shrine's Tadasu no Mori hosts a market two to three times a year, with around 400 stalls selling various handicrafts, such as jewelry, woodwork, leather goods, pottery, paintings, and dried flowers. It's a great place to hunt for treasures. The market also offers a variety of snacks and exciting concerts, making it a unique experience to stroll and eat in the forest. 5. Attend the Aoi Matsuri The Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto's three major festivals. The parade route starts at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, heads to Shimogamo Shrine, and ends at Kamigamo Shrine. The highlight of the Aoi Matsuri is the parade participants, who are all dressed in Heian period costumes and wear accessories that only high-ranking officials of the Heian period could own—hollyhock leaves.

🍁 Eikando Temple Autumn Leaves Viewing Eikando Temple is known as a famous spot for autumn leaves. Thousands of maple trees turn brilliant red and orange in autumn. Walking among them feels like being in a painting. Seeing is believing. Although I went early this time, the mix of red and green was already beautiful. The Zen architecture blends with nature. Besides the maple leaves, the beautiful gardens and ancient halls complement each other, making it a perfect spot for photography. 🍂 Shimogamo Shrine Recommendation Golden Ginkgo Path: In autumn, the paths at Shimogamo Shrine are covered with golden ginkgo leaves, creating a fairy-tale-like scene. Every photo taken here looks like a postcard. Mysterious Water Fortune-Telling: Experience the unique 'water fortune-telling' at Mitarashi River. Dip the fortune-telling paper into the water to reveal your fortune. It's interesting and has a touch of sacredness. Don't miss their maple leaf amulets!

The Mid-Autumn Festival in Japan was introduced from the Tang Dynasty and is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. Today, many shrines hold moon viewing events. Shimogamo Shrine is one of the most bustling places for such events. If you arrive around 6 PM, you can only watch from a distance due to the large crowd. The bonfire is beautiful for photos, and as you walk in, you can hear flute performances. The tea ceremony costs 1,000 yen, and there are other activities with long queues as well. The overall atmosphere is peaceful and joyful, especially in the serene forest setting of the shrine. If you have the chance, visiting during the day is also nice, as it is near Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which you can visit together! The seasonal and star-themed amulets, priced at 1,500 yen, are so beautiful that people are willing to queue up despite the high price, showing their charm! The moon is very round. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 🎑🌠

There is a small place near the shrine where you can rest in the shade, and the atmosphere inside is still very good. The guides were also very enthusiastic in explaining the history and architectural design. The hydrangeas were in full bloom at that time, and it was a great experience to sit there, enjoy the cool breeze, listen to the sound of wind chimes, and enjoy the outdoor visual experience!

【Mitarashi Festival in Shimogamo Shrine】 ・A festival where people cross the river to pray for good health and safety ・After crossing the river, you can drink the water to purify your body and pray for your family ・You can also pray for the health of your legs and back ・Since the Kawai Shrine is nearby, you can also visit it (see the third photo) Event Period: July 19, 2024 (Friday) to July 28, 2024 (Sunday) Visiting Hours: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Admission Fee: 500 yen Access: From Kyoto Station to Shimogamo Shrine by bus, approximately 30 minutes ※Visited on a Saturday, so it was crowded

Visiting the Kamigamo Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine) in Japan was an unforgettable spiritual experience. The shrine is located in the Shimogamo area near Kyoto City. Featuring magnificent architecture and traditional design, this shrine is characterized by its tranquil space and the fresh air that rejuvenates the spirit and energy. I enjoyed walking through the gardens surrounding the temple and exploring the religious statues and small shrines scattered throughout the area. The atmosphere was filled with serenity and peace, and the visit was an experience that opened the heart and enhanced spirituality.

Kyoto maple leaves, under the last evening maple of Shimogamo Shrine Unexpectedly captured maple leaves! On a whim, I came to Kyoto again in the morning. The original photo was taken on my phone at 11 noon on December 17th, today the sky is blue and the sun is out, it's very comfortable (down jacket for life saving) You can go directly from south to north into Shimogamo Shrine at the diversion point in Kamo River Park, map attached There are many buses at the entrance of Kyoto Station, to Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji and other attractions, the road is a bit congested

The New Year is coming soon. Japanese people like to visit shrines and pray for a good year during the New Year's Day. This first visit of the New Year is called Hatsumode. Let me introduce you to a World Heritage Shrine in Kyoto, Shimogamo Shrine⛩️. If you also want to pray for yourself, family and friends, you can go and see. The official name of Shimogamo Shrine is Kamo-mioya Shrine. Because it is located downstream of the Kamo River, it is commonly known as Shimogamo Shrine by the people of Kyoto. In the Heian period, as the guardian deity of Japan and the capital Kyoto, and as the clan deity of the imperial family, it received special faith. It also often appears in literary works such as 'The Tale of Genji' and 'The Pillow Book', so it also flourished as one of the cultural and religious centers of this era. There are various other shrines within the Shimogamo Shrine. The green Aioi Shrine, the beautiful Kawai Shrine, the disease-removing Inoue Shrine also known as Mitarashi Shrine, the successful contract signing Insho Shrine, and the twelve zodiac Ii Shrine. Not only that, the Tadasu Forest within the Shimogamo Shrine is also the birthplace of Kansai Rugby. The first rugby department in Japan was founded by students of Keio Gijuku. In the 44th year of Meiji (1910), students of the old system San'ko (now Kyoto University) began to teach rugby in Tadasu Forest. So you can also buy Japanese rugby🏈 amulets here, which is very special. At the beginning of the New Year, you can try to visit Shimogamo Shrine to realize your wishes. Let's start the New Year's travel from here. 📍Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumikawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City 🚃Transportation: 12 minutes walk from Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Electric Railway

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Kyoto Shimogamo Shrine is one of Kyoto's world cultural heritage. After passing through the entrance, there is a small shrine in the river. If it is not brought by a chartered driver, it is thought to be in the wrong place. The hehe shrine is dedicated to the beautiful god. I heard that drinking a beautiful water can become a beautiful woman, because of course I dont believe in money. After the Hehe Shrine and a very primitive forest, you can see the entrance of the Red Bird House. Many of the children wearing kimonos are super cute. I heard that the Japanese like to hold traditional weddings and birth ceremonies at the Shimogamo Shrine.