Yasui Kompiragū Shrine, Kinki Kansai Travel Guide

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Break bad ties, find new love & protect your travels at Kyoto's Yasui Kompiragū Shrine, famed for its unique relationship-severing stone.

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Yasui Kompiragū Shrine

Nestled in Kyoto's Gion district, Yasui Kompiragū Shrine is famed for its 'enkiri enmusubi' stone, a magnet for those seeking to break bad relationships and foster new, positive ones. Visitors participate in a unique ritual, crawling through a hole in the stone to symbolize severing ties and forging connections.

A brief summary to Yasui Kompiragū Shrine

70 Shimobentencho, Kyoto, Shimobentencho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0823, JP
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From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Yasui Kompiragū Shrine.

Participate in the 'enkiri enmusubi' ritual by purchasing a katashiro, writing your wish, and crawling through the stone.
Visit during the Koshi Matsuri (Comb Festival) in September to witness a unique celebration with traditional hairstyles.
Explore the Konpira Emakan Museum to see a collection of ema votive plaques and glass art.
Combine your visit with nearby attractions like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Maruyama Park.
Be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends and holidays, as the shrine is a popular destination.

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Explore Yasui Kompiragū Shrine on the Map

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Getting There

Public Transport

From Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus #206, #110, or #100 (Raku Bus) and disembark at the Higashiyama Yasui bus stop. The shrine is a short 1-minute walk south from the bus stop. Kyoto city buses operate on a flat fare system within the central area, costing ¥230 for adults and ¥120 for children. A Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass is available for ¥1,100 for adults and ¥550 for children, offering unlimited travel on Kyoto subways and city buses.
Walking

From Keihan Gion-Shijo Station, the shrine is approximately a 10-minute walk. From Hankyu Shijo Kawaramachi Station, it's about a 15-minute walk. Head east towards Yasaka Shrine, then continue south. Yasui Kompiragū is located on a smaller street, south of the main road.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout Kyoto. A short taxi ride from Kyoto Station to Yasui Kompiragū Shrine will typically cost between ¥2,090, based on a fare of ¥490 for the first 1 km and ¥320 for each additional kilometer. Note that a 20% surcharge may apply for taxis taken between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM. There are 10 parking lots available.

Discover more about Yasui Kompiragū Shrine

Yasui Kompiragū Shrine, located in Kyoto's historic Gion district, is a unique Shinto shrine with a rich history and a distinctive focus on relationships. Originally founded as Fujidera Temple in the 7th century by Fujiwara no Kamatari, it later became associated with Emperor Sutoku, who was exiled after a succession dispute. The shrine's current form took shape during the Meiji period, enshrining Emperor Sutoku, Omononushi no Kami, and Yorimasa Minamoto.The shrine is best known for its 'enkiri enmusubi' stone, a large ema-shaped monument covered in paper amulets. This stone is believed to have the power to sever bad relationships and create good ones. Visitors write their wishes on a paper amulet (katashiro), then crawl through a hole in the stone from front to back to sever bad ties, and back through again to form good ones. Finally, they affix their amulet to the stone, joining the thousands of others already covering it. The sheer number of these amulets is a testament to the shrine's popularity.Beyond the 'enkiri enmusubi' stone, Yasui Kompiragū also offers blessings for maritime and traffic safety, thanks to the enshrined deity Omononushi no Kami. The shrine hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Koshi Matsuri (Comb Festival) in September, where old combs are gathered to express gratitude for their use. The shrine also has a small museum dedicated to ema votive plaques, the Konpira Emakan Museum. Yasui Kompiragū is conveniently located near other major Kyoto attractions, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Yasaka Shrine, and Maruyama Park.