The Kamigamo Jinja shrine, also known as “Kamo Wake-ikazuchi-jinja”, is said to be the oldest shrine in Kyoto, dating back to the 7th century and predating the establishment of Heian-kyo (Kyoto).
Together with its sister shrine, Shimogamo-Jinja, it is associated with the Kamo clan. Kamogamo Jinja enshrines a thunder deity called Kamo Wake-ikazuchi, originally affiliated with the harvest, but which has come to be considered as the guardian of the capital city.
Kamigamo-Jinja hosts a number of annual events such as horse archery, children’s sumo, and it is mainly known for the Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival) taking place in May. This festival, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, features a long parade of people in costumes of different historical periods. The parade culminates at the shrine where the Emperor’s representative reads a message from the Emperor and stands in for him to pray.
The shrine is located quite north of the city and can be reached by bus directly from the Kyoto station. We went there on bicycle during the month of April following the bank of the Kamo river and enjoying the wonderful cheery blossom.
It is a very pleasant place with lots of space and green.
The Kamigamo Jinja Shrine is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
More info
Adress: 339 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto City
Tel.: 075-781-0011
Acccess: A short walk from City Bus Stop Kamigmo-jinja-mae (Take a bus from Keihan Railway Demachiyanagi Station and Subway Kitayama Station)
5-minute walk from City Bus Stop Kamigamo Misonohashi
(from Hankyu Railway Kawaramachi Station and Keihan Railway Demachiyanagi Station, Sanjo Station and Subway Kitaoji Station and Kyoto Station)
Hours: Open all day / Roumon Gate 8:30 – 16:00 (open until 16:30 on Sat, Sun, and holidays)
Entrance Fees: Free. National Treasure Main shrine Special Exhibition: 500 yen
Website: http://www.kamigamojinja.jp/english/index.html
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