Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine, Kyoto

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The shrine has descended in the era of Emperor Jinmu

Located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kamomioyajin Shrine, commonly known as Shimogamo Shrine, is a tourist attraction surrounded by nature-filled forests in the city center of Kyoto. It is also registered as one of the world heritage “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto”. Woods of Tadasu no Mori extend to the precinct, and the contrast between the lush forest and the vermilion shrine stands out. Shimogamo Shrine, which shows various appearances in each season, has been popular with Kyoto people since ancient times.
Shimogamo Shrine is a shrine located in the northeastern part of Kyoto city, at the junction of the Kamo River and the Takano River, commonly known as the Kamogawa Delta. The history is old, and it is said that the deity of the shrine has descended in the era of Emperor Jinmu, who is said to have founded Japan. They are sacred places that have long been revered by the Imperial Court.

In recent years, excavations at the precincts have revealed archeological sites from the Jomon and Yayoi eras, and their biography and history have also described that they were dedicated to Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto. By the time the Japanese world was in the Heian era, it was recorded as a shrine that was worshiped as a guardian deity of the country and became the center of religion and culture. It is an old Kyoto shrine whose history as a shrine had already begun in the Heian period.
Shimogamo Shrine appears in “Genji Monogatari” (the Tale of Genji), including “Makura no soshi” (the Pillow Book), a dynastic style literature that is said to be a synonym for literature in the Heian period. This suggests that the history of Shimogamo Shrine had already begun in Kyoto during the Heian period. Aoi Matsuri, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, and Tadasu no Mori at the precincts, often appear in Makura no soshi and the Tale of Genji.

Tadasu-no-Mori is a road approaching the Kamogawa Delta that extends straight northward, surrounded by trees. The front is arranged as a shrine, and you can walk around sightseeing spots such as auxiliary shrines and subsidiary shrines while walking. Shimogamo Shrine is a venerable shrine familiar to Kyoto citizens and visited by many tourists, including foreigners.
The recommended sightseeing spots at Shimogamo Shrine are the main treasures located on the east and west, as well as many buildings designated as important cultural properties. Tadasu-no-Mori is a healing area of Shimogamo Shrine, Kyoto, which is an ancient primeval forest that has been designated as a national historic site.

Charms and Highlights of Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine

A venerable sacred spot that gathered the essence of Kyoto

One of the most historic shrines in Kyoto, Kamomioya-jinja Shrine, also known as “Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine”. “Aoi Matsuri Festival” performed in Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine, which continues from the past, is famous and it is one of the three major festivals in Kyoto. It is also registered as a World Heritage Site, this shrine full of history and nature, you can stroll in all seasons very comfortably every season, spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Kamomioya-jinja Shrine has been known as “Shimogamo-san” and “Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine” because the shrine is located downstream of the Kamogawa River, the center town of Kyoto. There are 55 buildings of National Treasures and Important Cultural Heritage sites, which has a taste like a shrine of world heritage. When you cross the “Tadasu-no-mori Forest”, a vermillary torii and a tower will emerge, and the vivid and beautiful contrast by nature’s green and vermillion will spread.

There are records of the fence surrounding the honden (main hall) being repaired in BC 90 and some theories claim that the shrine may have been established around this time. Later that, in the Nara period, Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine appeared as a stage of the “Genji Monogatari” (tale of Genji) and “Makura no soshi” (the Pillow Book). About 400 years after 810, Sai-in (Imperial Princess appointed to serve the deities of the Kamo-jinja Shrines) was placed.
There are also many historic buildings here, and it is also registered in the World Cultural Heritage. While walking leisurely with the long front approach while taking a deep breath, you will feel that the body is being cleansed by the power of healing of forests. You can see autumn leaves in autumn and snow scene in winter, you can feel the seasons of nature as it is.
Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine is a venerable sacred spot that gathered the essence of Kyoto. There are nice shooting spots around the precincts, so do not miss it. This is a spot you want to visit throughout the year, including cherry blossoms in spring, fresh green in early summer, autumn leaves in autumn, snowy scenery in winter, while enjoying forest bathing.

Enshrined God opened ancient Kyoto Yamashiro

Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine, official name “Kamo-Mioya-Jinja”, is in the triangle of land inserted into Kamogawa and the Takano river which flows through Kyoto. Generally “Shimogamo-Jinja” which is a popular name is better known. An enshrined deity’s Kamotaketsunumi-no-mikoto is God that opened ancient Kyoto Yamashiro.

To pray for peace of the nation

The history of Shimogamo-Jinja is old, and it is informed that it was always the holy place and having existed at some distant period of the past before Heiankyo was erected. The record that repair of the fence of the shrine was performed around B.C. 90 also remains. When Heiankyo is erected, it is told that erection prayer was performed by Shimogamo-Jinja. Thereafter it was established as a Shinto shrine to pray for peace of the nation.

Registered with world heritage

Along with Kamigamo-Jinja Shrine, it is Kyoto’s oldest Shinto shrine. It appears in the many historic literary works including The Tale of Genji. It is designated as the important cultural property, and also registered with world heritage.

Enjoy the color of seasonal trees

There are 600 trees of the 600~200 years old in the forest opening around the precincts and is saved as a historic spot of the countries. You can enjoy the color of seasonal trees.

Mystical art event was held

Moreover, the “Team Lab” which produces a variegated art work with full use of technology held the event “the festival of the light in the woods of Tadasu” in 2016. It is a mystical art in which the light of trees or a tone sounds changes in response to a motion of man and an animal.

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

Name:	Shimogamo-Jinja Shrine
Address:	Shimogamoizumigawacho 59 Kyoto Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0807 Japan
Access:	Keihan-dentetsu Outo-sen Line “Demachiyanagi-eki Station” (12 minutes walk)
Tel:	(+81) 75-781-0010
Price/Admission:	*precinct is free to visit Ooidono Hall 500 yen (Adult) Free (Junior High School Students or Under) Please refer the official web page.
Official site:	http://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/