“There are many famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto, but the cherry blossoms at Hirano Shrine are special.”
The “Hirano Night Cherry Blossoms,” beloved by Heian aristocrats, continue to fascinate us today, more than 1,000 years later.
The flower scenery, created by approximately 400 cherry trees of 60 different varieties, is as graceful as a Heian picture scroll.
In spring, the grounds are filled with pale pink petals, and at night the cherry blossoms are fantastically lit up, shining like the feather robes of a heavenly maiden.
Its beauty is filled with an elegance befitting a prestigious shrine on par with Ise Grand Shrine and Matsuo Taisha Shrine.
There are other attractions besides the cherry blossoms, such as the unique main hall architecture known as “Hirano-zukuri” and the worship hall built using traditional construction methods that do not use nails.
In this article, we will introduce the highlights and history of Hirano Shrine.
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What kind of place is Hirano Shrine?
Image source: Hirano Shrine official website Hirano Shrine is a shrine listed in the Engishiki (Engishiki-naisha) system located in Kita-ku, Kyoto City, and is a highly prestigious shrine on a par with Ise Grand Shrine and Matsuo Taisha Shrine.
It was moved to this location when the capital was moved to Heian in 794, and has been revered as the guardian deity of the Minamoto and Taira clans.
The main hall has a unique architectural style called “Hirano-zukuri” or “Hiyoku Kasuga-zukuri” and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.
The worship hall was donated by Tokugawa Hidetada’s daughter, Tofukumon’in, and is a rare building built using the grafting method without the use of nails .
It is especially famous as a cherry blossom viewing spot, with approximately 400 cherry trees of 60 different varieties planted.
The Hirano Night Cherry Blossoms, a sight that has continued since the Heian period, is known as one of the capital’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots, where you can enjoy various types of cherry blossoms for a long period from mid-March to late April.
History of Hirano Shrine
Hirano Shrine is a historic shrine that dates back to the Nara period and has been a part of the history of Heian-kyo.
In this chapter, we will explore the history of Hirano Shrine.
Founding and relocation to Heian-kyo
Hirano Shrine was originally a shrine enshrined in the Tamura Imperial Palace of Heijo-kyo in Nara.
In the first year of the Enryaku era (782), Imaki-no-kami was awarded the divine rank of Junior Fourth Rank, and thus already possessed a high status.
When the capital was moved to Heian-kyo in 794, it was moved to its current location, making it the only shrine in Kyoto to do so.
At that time, the temple grounds covered a vast area of 2 square kilometers, including the Kinkakuji Temple.
Prosperity in the Heian Period
During the Heian period, the shrine was dedicated to protecting the Crown Prince, and boasted such prestige that the Crown Prince himself would make an offering at the annual Hirano Festival.
It was particularly revered as a guardian deity by powerful clans such as the Minamoto, Taira, and Takashina clans, and had deep ties with the Imperial Court, with Emperor En’yu even making a visit to the shrine in 981.
It is counted as one of the most famous shrines after Ise, Kamo, Iwashimizu, and Matsuo, and its status is unshakable.
Development since the early modern period
During the turbulent times of the Middle Ages, the temple fell into disrepair for a time, but was restored during the Kan’ei era (1624-1644) by Nishinotoin Tokiyoshi, who built the main hall, which is now an Important Cultural Property.
In the early modern period, the shrine had a land area of 100 koku and became known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot.
The current shrine grounds were cut down on the west side during the Showa era to accommodate the widening of Nishioji-dori Street, but it remains a popular and picturesque shrine with approximately 400 cherry trees planted.
Highlights of Hirano Shrine
Hirano Shrine is dotted with historic sights.
The following three spots in particular are definitely worth stopping by when you visit.
Highlights of Hirano Shrine
The main hall is an important cultural property
Approximately 400 cherry trees of 60 varieties
Sakuraen and night cherry blos
①Main hall, an important cultural property
The main hall, which features a unique architectural style called “Hirano-zukuri” or “Hiyoku Kasuga-zukuri,” was built during the Kan’ei era (1624-1644).
It consists of two buildings with four shrines each, and is a rare structure with two one-bay Kasuga-style shrine buildings connected together.
The first, second, and fourth shrines are dedicated to Imaki-no-kami, Kudo-no-kami, Furukai-no-kami, and Hime-no-kami, respectively, and the structure in which they are connected with the empty shrine in between is known as something unique to Hirano Shrine.
②About 400 cherry trees of 60 varieties
Image source: Kyoto Tourism Navi Cherry trees have been planted since the Heian period as a symbol of increasing vitality, and there are currently about 400 trees of 60 different varieties planted here.
In particular, there are many rare varieties of Hirano Shrine’s original trees, such as “Hirano Nezame,” “Hirano Imose,” and “Hirano Toubane.”
You can enjoy various kinds of cherry blossoms for a long period from mid-March to late April, and they are also lit up at night.
③Sakuraen and night cherry blossoms
Image source: Kyoto Tourism Navi Hirano no Yozakura, which has been open to the common people since the Edo period, is known as one of Kyoto’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots.
Especially during the night cherry blossom season, the cherry blossoms lit up by the gentle lights create a fantastical atmosphere.
At the Sakura Garden, you can enjoy a variety of cherry blossoms, from early to late blooming varieties, and the garden is open at night from March 23rd to April 14th.
What is the best season to visit Hirano Shrine?
Hirano Shrine is a shrine where you can enjoy its beauty in all four seasons, but it is especially beautiful during cherry blossom season.
From mid-March to late April, about 400 cherry trees of 60 different varieties will bloom one after another, allowing you to enjoy cherry blossom viewing for a long period of about a month and a half.
The area is lit up at night, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms illuminated in gentle lights.
There are also many rare varieties of cherry trees that were originally grown at Hirano Shrine, such as Hirano Imosezakura, Sakigakezakura, and Goiko, so you can enjoy the unique characteristics of each cherry tree .
If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend going early in the morning on a weekday.
Access to Hirano Shrine
Hirano Shrine is located in Kita-ku, Kyoto City, and can be accessed by multiple means of transportation. Most tourists visit from Kyoto Station or Kinkakuji Temple, so we will explain each route in detail.
Access from Kyoto Station
The most common way to get there is by city bus.
Take bus line 50 or 205 from Kyoto Station Bus Terminal, get off at Kinugasa School, and walk for about 3 minutes to arrive.
The journey takes about 35 minutes and costs 230 yen.
If you take the JR Sagano Line, you can take the train from Kyoto Station to Marumachi Station (about 10 minutes, 190 yen), and then walk for about 23 minutes to get to the shrine.
If you take a taxi, it will take about 20 minutes and cost about 2,500 yen.
Access methods Bus, train, taxi Travel time Bus: Approx. 35 minutes Fee Bus: 230 yen
Access from Kinkakuji Temple
Hirano Shrine is very close to Kinkakuji Temple, and it is convenient to take city bus route 204.
It takes about 3 minutes from Kinkakuji-michi bus stop (Platform B) to “Kinugasa School Mae” and costs 230 yen.
It is about a 3-minute walk from the bus stop to Hirano Shrine, and buses run approximately every 10 to 15 minutes.
If you take a taxi, it will take about 3 minutes and cost around 500 yen.
Access methods Bus, taxi Travel time Bus: 3 minutes Fee Bus: 230 yen
Hirano Shrine admission fee and opening hours
Basic information about Hirano Shrine is summarized in the table below.
item Contents Visiting hours 6:00-17:00 Admission fee Temple grounds: Free Travel time 30 minutes to 1 hour holiday Open all year round parking 17 spaces (40 mins/200 yen) Goshuin (stamp of a temple) Regular price: 500 yen (9:00-16:30)
Recommended spots around Hirano Shrine
There are many historic sights dotted around Hirano Shrine.
We especially recommend the following three spots:
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
Image source: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine official website Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, located about a 10-minute walk from Hirano Shrine, is the head shrine of the more than 10,000 Tenmangu Shrines across the country.
This shrine enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, known as the god of learning, and within the grounds is a plum garden known as a famous plum blossom spot.
On the 25th of each month, an open-air market called “Tenjin-san” is held within the grounds, and is crowded with many worshippers.
Toji-in Temple
Image source: Toji-in Temple official website Located about a 15-minute walk from Hirano Shrine, Toji-in Temple is a Rinzai sect Tenryu-ji temple known as the family temple of the Ashikaga clan.
The national treasure, Reikoden, houses wooden statues of past Ashikaga shoguns, and there are two gardens, one to the east and one to the west, said to have been created by Muso Kokushi.
In particular, the gardens centered around Shinji Pond and Fuyou Pond offer beautiful views of seasonal flowers and autumn leaves.
Takekun Shrine
Image source: Keihan Hotels & Resorts Takekun Shrine, located about a 15-minute walk from Hirano Shrine, is a shrine dedicated to Oda Nobunaga.
Located at the summit of Mt. Funaoka, the temple grounds offer a panoramic view of Mt. Daimonji and Kyoto city.
The temple seals, stamp books, and other items offered at the shrine all feature designs based on Nobunaga and his swords, making it a unique and popular worship spot.
FAQs about Hirano Shrine
When is the best time to see the cherry blossoms at Hirano Shrine?
From mid-March to late April, approximately 400 cherry trees of 60 varieties bloom one after another.
You can enjoy the fantastic night cherry blossoms especially during the night illumination period.
What are the characteristics of Hirano Shrine’s main hall?
It is a unique architectural style known as “Hirano-zukuri,” and is a rare structure in which two buildings with four halls are connected by a hollow hall in between.
It has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
How old is Hirano Shrine?
It is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto, having been moved to its current location at the same time as the capital was moved to Heian in 794.
He has been revered as the clan deity of the Minamoto and Taira clans.
What are the benefits of Hirano Shrine?
It is said to bring about overall improvements in fortune, such as the regeneration of vital energy, peace and security in daily life, warding off evil spirits, and productivity.
It is said that the cherry blossom season in particular has the effect of increasing vitality.
summary
Hirano Shrine, which was moved to its current location at the same time as the capital was moved to Heian in 794, is a prestigious shrine on par with Ise Grand Shrine and Matsuo Taisha Shrine.
The main hall has a unique architectural style called “Hirano-zukuri” or “Hiyoku Kasuga-zukuri” and is designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Revered as the guardian deity of the Genji and Heike clans, the shrine has around 400 cherry trees of 60 varieties planted within its grounds, making it a famous cherry blossom spot known as “Hirano’s Night Cherry Blossoms.”
You can enjoy a variety of cherry blossoms over a long period from mid-March to late April, and they are also lit up at night.
If you have a chance to visit Kyoto, be sure to visit Hirano Shrine, where over 1,000 years of history and the beauty of cherry blossoms coexist.
