Yasaka-jinja Shrine, with its long connection to Kyoto’s geiko (the regional term for geisha) community centered in the nearby Gion District, is a bustling, colorful and pleasant downtown shrine that lies at the heart of much of Kyoto’s festive tradition.
The trees which populate the shrine grounds provide shade for worshippers visiting the various structures dedicated to different spirits. You can hear the frequent ringing of brass bells, the clink of 5 or 10 yen coins falling into the collection box, and the loud claps of people finishing their prayers. Different food stalls can be found here, lending the shrine a festive atmosphere.
The shrine dates back to at least 876, when the priest Enjo invited Gozu Tenno, the god of illness prevention, to the shrine in an effort to stop the run of epidemics and other disasters that were afflicting Kyoto residents at that time. This was also the beginning of the famous Gion Matsuri Festival, which features a lively parade of ornate floats and participants wearing period costumes that culminates at Yasaka-jinja Shrine. It is one of the three main festivals in Kyoto and draws spectators from all over the world.
Basic Information
- Address : 625 Kitagawa, Gion-machi, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-8311
- Website : Click here
- Access : Comfortable access to Gion (Yasaka-jinja Shrine)
