Mar 22, 2019 - 2 min read

Kyoto's Heian Jingu Shrine

A shrine which makes you think of Kyoto 1,000 years ago

By Shozo Fujii

Community writer

Translated by Illaura Rossiter

Community writer

The cherry blossoms in full bloom on a calm spring day

A view of a flowering cherry blossom tree on the grounds

Visitors pass through a side gate alongside Oten Gate, an important cultural heritage asset of Japan

A gateway to the temple called Okazaki Otorii sits in front of Otemon Gate

Daigoku-den Hall, which was once the center of the Japanese government. Photos are prohibited inside.

A Tachibana Orange tree bearing small yellow fruits

Ancient Kyoto was based on the capital of the Tang Dynasty in ancient china, which was thought to be the reason for the city's success

After the Heian Period, a tachibana orange tree (right), thought to be useful in achieving longevity, and a cherry blossom tree (left), were planted at the Western entrance to the southern area of this shrine, which was once the imperial palace

The modern Heian Jingu Shrine is a reproduction built at 6/10 the scale of the original

While a relatively recently rebuilt shrine, it is very popular among tourists

Around the end of the Edo period (1603-1868) and the beginning of the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912), many large changes occurred. For just under a thousand years, Kyoto had sat as the center of Japan, but its decline was becoming a reality, as the emperor moved the country's capital city to its present location, Tokyo around the year 1868.

Feeling an impending sense of doom for the future of the city, Kyoto's governor decided to erect Heian Jingu Shrine, to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the city having become Japan's capital. It was completed in 1895, making it a relatively new shrine, and interestingly, it was created as a 6/10 scale model of the Heian Period imperial palace. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the grounds.

The spirit of Emperor Kanmu, the 50th emperor of Japan and the first ruler in this city, is enshrined at Heian Jingu Shrine. Later, Emperor Komei, the 120th emperor last one to rule from Kyoto, was also enshrined here.

Finally, to protect the three open sides of Heian Jingu Shrine's replica of the Council Hall of the Imperial Palace, a scenic garden park complete with a pond and walking path was added, for the enjoyment of visitors to the shrine.

Heian Jingu Shrine can be reached by taking Kyoto City bus number 5 or 100 from Kyoto Station. It takes approximately half an hour and the bus fare is 230 yen.

Additionally, visitors can choose to take the subway to Higashiyama Station, from which the shrine is a ten-minute walk.