Kyoto is loved by many people as a city that is full of history and culture, and one of the most notable attractions there is Heian Shrine.
This shrine was founded in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital’s relocation to Heian, and enshrines the 50th Emperor Kanmu.
The shrine’s main building is a magnificent structure that recreates the main hall of Heian-kyo, and the vast garden, “Shinen,” allows you to enjoy the beauty of the four seasons.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history, highlights, and access to Heian Shrine.
What kind of place is Heian Shrine?
Heian Shrine is a historically and culturally significant shrine located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
It was founded in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital’s relocation to Heian, and its main deity is the 50th Emperor Kanmu.
Emperor Kanmu was the emperor who realised the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo, and the shrine was built to commemorate his achievements.
The Heian Shrine’s main shrine building is a 5/8 scale reproduction of the Chodoin, the main hall of Heian-kyo, and is characterized by its gorgeous vermilion architecture.
Additionally, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons in the vast Shinen garden.
This shrine is loved by many people as a place to pray for peace for the nation and for individual wishes, and is particularly known as a shrine for matchmaking, so it is visited by people hoping for success in love or finding a good partner.
The History of Heian Shrine
Let’s start by looking at the history of Heian Shrine.
Knowing the history before you go sightseeing will allow you to enjoy your trip even more.
Founded to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian
Heian Shrine was founded in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital’s relocation to Heian.
This shrine enshrines the 50th Emperor Kanmu.
Emperor Kanmu was the emperor who moved the capital to Heian-kyo, and the shrine was built to commemorate his achievements.
The background to its founding is related to the reconstruction of Kyoto, which was devastated by war at the end of the Edo period and moved the capital to Tokyo during the Meiji Restoration.
The people of Kyoto united their enthusiasm and the passion of people across the nation to work towards reviving Kyoto.
This enthusiasm bore fruit in the founding of Heian Shrine, a significant step in preserving Kyoto’s culture and history.
An important role in conveying the scenery of Heian-kyo to the present day
The Heian Shrine building is a 5/8 scale replica of the Chodoin, the main hall of Heian-kyo.
It is characterized by its gorgeous vermilion-colored buildings and plays an important role in conveying the scenery of Heian-kyo at that time to the present day.
Additionally, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons in the vast Shinen garden.
You can enjoy different beauty depending on the season you visit, such as cherry blossoms in spring, irises in summer, autumn leaves, and snowy scenery in winter.
In this way, Heian Shrine is loved by many people as a place with cultural and historical value that goes beyond being just a shrine.
Emperor Komei’s spirit is enshrined at Heian Shrine
In 1940, the spirit of Emperor Komei was enshrined at Heian Shrine.
Emperor Komei is said to have laid the foundation for the Meiji Restoration, and the enshrinement of his spirit at Heian Shrine further enhanced its status as a cultural symbol of Kyoto.
This enshrinement has great significance in preserving Kyoto’s history and culture.
With the enshrining of the spirit of Emperor Komei, Heian Shrine has come to be even more widely revered as a place to pray for the peace of the nation and for individual prayers.
It is particularly known as a shrine for matchmaking, and plays an important role as a place visited by people seeking success in love and finding a good partner.
Highlights of Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine is a historically and culturally important shrine located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
This shrine is a symbol of Kyoto’s revival and features vast gardens and beautiful shrine buildings.
There are many things to see at Heian Shrine, but we will highlight three main points below.
First, we will explain in detail about the replica shrine building, the vast garden, and the history of the large torii gate.
- The shrine building and its reconstruction
- The vast garden “Shinen”
- The Great Torii and its History
The shrine building and its reconstruction
The Heian Shrine building is a 5/8 scale replica of the Chodoin, the main hall of Heian-kyo.
It is characterized by its gorgeous vermilion-colored buildings, including the Daigokuden Hall at the center of the temple grounds, the Soryu-ro Tower, and the Byakko-ro Tower.
These buildings are designated as Important Cultural Properties and demonstrate the pinnacle of architectural technology from the Heian period.
The Daigokuden functions as the outer worship hall, and the Otenmon Gate serves as the shrine gate and decorates the entrance to the temple grounds.
The design of the shrine building was carried out using technology from the Meiji period, giving it great historical value.
The vermilion shrine building, combined with the surrounding nature, creates a colorful scene that changes with the seasons.
The vast garden “Shinen”
Heian Shrine’s garden, “Shin-en,” is a stroll-style garden with a pond, created by bringing together representative landscaping techniques from the Meiji period.
It is a vast garden consisting of four gardens – East, Central, West and South – and was designed using the best of Japanese landscaping techniques.
You can enjoy the natural beauty of each season, including the red weeping cherry blossoms in spring, the irises and Japanese irises in summer, the autumn leaves in fall, and the snowy scenery in winter.
In particular, more than 300 cherry trees bloom in spring, making it a popular tourist spot.
This garden is so beautiful that it lives up to its name, “Garden of the Gods,” and leaves a deep impression on all who visit.
The Great Torii and its History
The great torii gate of Heian Shrine was built to commemorate the enthronement of Emperor Showa, and is also known as the symbol of the city of Okazaki, Kyoto.
The vermilion-painted torii gate is 24.2m high and 18.2m wide, making it one of the largest in Japan.
This torii gate acts as a barrier separating the sacred area from the outside world, and its vermilion color has long been considered sacred as a talisman.
It is also a popular spot for taking beautiful photos of the vermilion color reflected against the blue sky when looking up from below.
What is the best season to visit Heian Shrine?
The recommended seasons to visit Heian Shrine are spring and autumn.
Spring is cherry blossom season, when approximately 300 cherry trees bloom in the temple grounds.
The best time to see the cherry blossoms is from early to mid-April, and special cherry blossom fortune-telling slips are also sold.
The cherry blossoms are also lit up at night, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
It is also famous as a spot to see autumn leaves, with the best viewing time being from early to mid-November.
The vermilion buildings and the red and orange autumn leaves create a beautiful contrast, allowing you to enjoy a fantastical view .
During this period, the Jidai Matsuri, one of Kyoto’s three major festivals, is also held.
Many tourists visit during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, so if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to choose a time other than those.
Access to Heian Shrine
Heian Shrine is relatively easy to access from Kyoto city.
Below, we will explain in detail how to access the temple from Kyoto Station and Kinkakuji Temple.
Access from Kyoto Station
The most convenient way to get to Heian Shrine from Kyoto Station is by public transportation.
Take the subway Karasuma Line from Kyoto Station and get off at Kitayama Station.
From there, transfer to a bus and get off at Heian Jingu-mae.
It takes about 30 minutes by bus or about an hour on foot.
You can also take a taxi, which takes about 20 minutes.
The road from Kyoto Station to Heian Shrine makes it an easy stop off point while sightseeing around Kyoto city.
Access from Kinkakuji Temple
The most convenient way to get from Kinkakuji Temple to Heian Shrine is by bus.
Take a Kyoto City Bus from the bus stop closest to Kinkakuji Temple and get off at Heian Jingu-mae.
The bus ride takes about 45 minutes to an hour.
Both Kinkaku-ji and Heian Shrine are located in Kyoto City and are relatively easy to get to using public transportation.
In particular, buses allow for smooth travel between tourist spots.
Heian Shrine admission fees and opening hours
Below is a table summarizing basic information about Heian Shrine.
| item | Contents |
|---|---|
| location | 97 Nishitennocho Okazaki, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City |
| Visiting hours | 6:00-18:00 (varies depending on the season) |
| Admission fee | Admission to the grounds is free, admission to the shrine garden is 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. |
| Business hours | Shinen reception is open from 8:30 to 17:30 (times vary depending on the season) |
| parking | There is no parking lot on the shrine grounds. Please use the nearby paid parking lot. |
| Estimated travel time | It takes about 20 minutes to just worship, but about an hour if you explore the gardens. |
Recommended spots around Heian Shrine
There are also several recommended spots around Heian Shrine.
Here we will introduce some of the must-see spots when you visit Heian Shrine.
Nanzenji Temple
Nanzenji Temple is the head temple of the Rinzai sect of Buddhism, located about a 15-minute walk southeast from Heian Shrine.
Founded in 1291, it is known as a prestigious Zen temple located on one of the five mountains of Kyoto.
Particularly famous is the Sanmon Gate, known for Ishikawa Goemon’s line, “What a magnificent view . “
This Sanmon Gate is considered one of the three greatest gates in Japan and was donated by Todo Takatora in 1628.
The temple grounds also feature many beautiful gardens and important cultural properties, creating an atmosphere where history and nature coexist in harmony.
The cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves are particularly beautiful, attracting many tourists.
Awata Shrine
Awata Shrine is located about a 15-minute walk south from Heian Shrine.
It was founded in 876 (the 18th year of the Jogan era) and is located at Awataguchi, the eastern entrance to Kyoto.
It enshrines Susanoo and Okuninushi, and is believed to be a guardian for those on their journeys and to ward off evil spirits.
The Shinko Festival, which features a procession of sword-shaped floats, said to be the original form of the Yamahoko floats in the Gion Festival, is particularly famous.
The area around the shrine retains the old Kyoto townscape, giving it a historic feel.
Okazaki Shrine
Okazaki Shrine is located about a 15-minute walk northeast from Heian Shrine.
This shrine was founded in 794 (Enryaku 13) and enshrines Susanoo and Kushiinadahime.
This shrine is also known as the shrine for the god of safe childbirth; in the past, this area was a habitat for wild rabbits, and it has long been said that prolific rabbits are messengers of the local deity.
The area around the shrine is rich in nature and is a great place for a stroll.
The cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves are especially beautiful, making it a wonderful spot that allows visitors to experience the changing seasons.
FAQs about Heian Shrine
summary
Heian Shrine is a historically and culturally important shrine located in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.
It was founded in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital’s relocation to Heian, and its main deity is the 50th Emperor Kanmu.
The main shrine building of Heian Shrine is a replica of Chodoin, the main office of Heian-kyo, and is characterized by its gorgeous vermilion architecture.
Additionally, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons in the vast Shinen garden.
There are many tourist spots in the area, such as Nanzenji Temple, Awata Shrine, and Okazaki Shrine, and it is a popular place where you can feel history and nature.
Be sure to stop by when you visit Kyoto.
