Yasaka Jinja

Near the Gion district, famous for Gion festival

Front gate

4 minutes from Gion-Shijo station on foot, Yasaka jinja is at the end of the Shijo-dori street. There were many tourists, some of them were wearing Kimono. The site of the shrine is not large, however stairs and approach are full of quaint atmosphere even the shrine is surrounded by noisy town traffic. As this shrine’s Blessing is art, there were a lot of lanterns with the name of famous actors and actresses.

History

Established before the Heian-era, worshiped by the famous aristocrats, and Samurais. The Gion festival is held in summer from July through August, it has more than 1,000 years history and it is one the three major festivals in Japan. Also , this shrine is the headquarter of all Yasaka shrines in Japan.

Deities Enshrined

Susanoo-no-mikoto

Kushiinadahime-no-mikoto

Yahashira-no-mikogami

Blessing

Warding off evil and plague.

Foundation

Seimei Tenno 2（656 A.D）

Location

625 Gion-cho north sides, higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City

Photo Gallery