Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社

  • Published on : 24/09/2022
  • by : Japan Experience

The brightly painted Yasaka-jinja Shrine is one of the city's best known and most popular landmarks, especially the two-story vermilion entrance gate at the end of Shijo-dori Avenue.

Yasaka-jinja is the host shrine of Kyoto's biggest festival, the Gion Matsuri in July. The annual Gion Matsuri procession begins from Yasaka Shrine on July 17. Also, at New Year, Yasaka Shrine attracts literally millions of worshipers for Hatsumode - the first shrine visit of the new year - known as Okera-mairi at Yasaka Shrine, when worshipers seek to take home a flame from the sacred fire to cook the first meal of the new year.

Other popular festivals held at Gion Shrine include Setsubun in early February with an evening bonfire, the Ochatsubo Dochu (Traveling Tea Canisters) festival on May 1, and Shichi-go-san in November.

Ochatsubo Dochu harks back to the Edo period practice of presenting the new tea harvest from Uji to the shogun. Bearers in period costume carry large ceramic containers containing tea from Kenninji Temple up Yamato-oji, along Shijo to Yasaka Shrine.

Yasaka Jinja is also reputedly popular among geisha and a number of the shrine's many annual festivals are attended by them.

Lanternes du temple Yasaka-jinja en pleine nuit

©ayumi kubo, Unsplash

Temple Yasaka-jinja de nuit

©ayumi kubo, Unsplash

Temple Yasaka-jinja de nuit

©ayumi kubo, Unsplash


Address, timetable & access

Yasaka Shrine

  • Address

    625 Kitagawa, Gionmachi, Higashiyama

    605-0073

    Japan

  • Phone

    075 561 6155
  • Timetable

    Open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  • Price

    Free
  • Access

    Yasaka Jinja is a 5-10-minute walk from Shijo Keihan Station. From Kyoto Station, take the #206 or #207 bus to the Gion bus stop.
  • Website

    http://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/

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