Yasaka Shrine Travel Guide

Free Guide: Discover Kyoto's iconic Yasaka Shrine: a historic landmark, home to the vibrant Gion Matsuri, and a serene sanctuary in the heart of the city.

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Yasaka Shrine

A brief summary of Yasaka Shrine

Discover Kyoto's iconic Yasaka Shrine: a historic landmark, home to the vibrant Gion Matsuri, and a serene sanctuary in the heart of the city.

Yasaka Shrine, also known as Gion Shrine, is a prominent Shinto shrine in Kyoto, Japan, with a history spanning over 1350 years. Situated between the Gion district and Higashiyama area, it's famous for its Gion Matsuri festival and is a significant cultural landmark.

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Plan your visit

Opening hours

  • Every dayOpen 24 hours

Opening hours as listed on the venue’s Google Business Profile. Hours can change for services and special events, so check with the venue before you go.

Address
625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073
Phone
Website

Getting there

Walking

From Gion-Shijo Station (Keihan Line) or Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station (Hankyu Line), Yasaka Shrine is approximately a 10-minute walk. Head east along Shijo Street, and you'll see the vermilion gate of the shrine. The walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple through the Higashiyama District to Yasaka Shrine is also highly recommended and takes about 20-30 minutes.

Public Transport

From Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus number 206 and get off at the Gion bus stop. The ride takes about 20 minutes and costs 230 yen. Alternatively, take the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station, transfer to the Keihan Line, and get off at Gion-Shijo Station, a short walk from the shrine.

Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout Kyoto and can take you directly to Yasaka Shrine. A taxi ride from Kyoto Station takes approximately 15 minutes, costing around ¥2,100 - ¥2,600. It's helpful to have the shrine's address in Japanese to show the driver.

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Overview

Yasaka Shrine, also called Gion Shrine, has been a center of Kyoto's spiritual and cultural life for over a millennium. Founded in 656 AD, the shrine is dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, a god of storms and sea, along with his consort Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto and their eight offspring. The shrine's history is intertwined with the Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's most famous festivals, dating back to 869 AD. The festival originated as a ritual to ward off epidemics and has evolved into a month-long celebration in July, featuring processions of elaborate floats and traditional performances. The shrine complex includes several buildings, with the main hall combining the inner sanctuary and offering hall into a single structure. A dance stage stands in front, adorned with hundreds of lanterns bearing the names of local businesses. Visitors can explore smaller auxiliary shrines dedicated to various deities, including those of beauty and matchmaking. Yasaka Shrine is open 24 hours a day, and admission is free, making it accessible to visitors at any time.

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