Kifune-jinja Shrine, Kyoto

Kifuna Shrine located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto and at the foot of Mt. Kurama is located about 40 minutes by car from the city. You can see beautiful scenery during the seasons such as spring fresh green and autumn leaves, and snowfall light up in winter. Many worshipers visit every day to see a photogenic shrine that shines on nature.
A stone stairway approach with “Kasuga-dourou” (lanterns) is a fantastic view representing this shrine. This place is a popular spot on TV and magazines.
Once you climb up the approach you will cleanse your hands with water. You will feel as if your mind is also washed with fresh water.
The founding age of Kibune Shrine is as old as unknown, and it seems that there is a record of rebuilding in the “the history of the shrine” 1300 years ago.
The deity here is the god of water called “Takaokami-no-kami”. The fact that it is described in “Kojiki” (The Records of Ancient Matters) and “Nihonshoki” (Chronicles of Japan) also shows that it is a historical shrine that continues from ancient times.
It is also reported that the faith from successive imperial palaces has risen, and Emperor Saga dedicates horses and prays for “an act of begging for rain” and “an act of begging stop for rain”. Because of that, it is said that this is the birthplace of Ema (a votive horse tablet).
Katsura Tree (Cinnamon Cassia) in the precinct is 400 years old. In this Katsura Tree, the energy of God from the earth seems to be rising like a dragon, so it is said to be a divine tree.
You can bring back fresh water that flows through the grounds because the deity is the god of water. Bringing a bottle is also OK, but a dedicated container is also sold at the premises (300 yen per bottle).
The Kifune Shrine consists of the main shrine and the three shrines of Nakamiya shrine and Okumiya shrine, which are located a little apart. Nakamiya shrine on the way from Motomiya shrine to Okumiya shrine is called “Yui no Yashiro”, and is known as a close relationship shrine. In addition, there is also a legend that Izumi Shikibu, who was a poet, suffered from a change in the mind of her husband, and when she dedicated her song, her wish was fulfilled wonderfully.
Many worshipers are visiting and offering prayers to receive the divine virtue.

It is one of the popular Shinto shrines in Kyoto

The Kifune jinja Shrine is the shrine which has deified God who is ensconced in the source of a stream in Kamogawa which flows through Kyoto, and manages supply of water. In the ancient times, an Imperial envoy of the Emperor prayed for “the act of praying for rain” and “waiting for a break in the rain” in this Shinto shrine. Moreover, it is also widely known as a match-making shrine, and it is told that Yoshitsune Minamotono (Japanese military commander in the late Heian period) and Murasakishikibu (Author of “Genji Monogatari” (The Tale of Genji), which represents the narrative literature of the Heian Period) also visited to worship. It is one of the popular Shinto shrines in Kyoto so that many worshipers come from the distant place.

Wish comes true when you go and worship according to turn

In Kifune-jinja Shrine, there are Hongu, Nakamiya, Okumiya from this side. Each is located a little apart, and the feature is that the order to go and worship is decided on Hongu-Okumiya-Nakamiya.
Sanshamairi (to visit three Shinto shrines) means this, and is told that a wish comes true when you go and worship according to turn.

Having been rebuilt approximately 1,300 years ago

It seems that the time of foundation is not clear, but it is said, “the the main shrine was rebuilt approximately 1,300 years ago”, so it is surmised that foundation is ancient times farther than it. Although Hongu was in the place of the present Okumiya at the beginning, but it was often suffered a flood and it is said that it was moved to the current place in 1055.

The birthplace of Ema

Kifune-jinja Shrine is known also as the birthplace of Ema (a votive horse tablet). It is said that it prayed for “the act of praying for rain” and “waiting for a break in the rain” at the Heian period. If a drought continued, “a black horse” was dedicated, if rain continued “a white horse” was dedicated and prayed. Time went by and drew a horse on the board of the tree and dedicate it instead of the live horse. Thus, the present Ema was born.

The visionary scene can be seen only at the night when snow lay

In January and February, lighting is performed from twilight till 8:00 night on the day when the snow fell. Please enjoy the visionary scene which can be seen only at the night when snow lay.

Information(Access, Price/Charge, Tel, Address, Official site, etc.)