Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo-mioya-jinja)
Where two tributaries of the Kamo River meet, a straight gravel path cuts through the ancient forest of Tadasu no Mori, leading directly to the shrine precincts ahead — this is Shimogamo Shrine (formally Kamo-mioya-jinja), one of Kyoto's oldest sacred sites and part of the UNESCO World Heritage inscription "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto." Together with Kamigamo Shrine to the north, it forms the Kamo Shrine complex, co-hosting the famous Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival). The two main halls stand side by side, enshrining Tamayori-hime no Mikoto on the right and her father Kamo-taketsunumi no Mikoto on the left — the name "Mioya" (meaning ancestral deity) comes from this parent-and-child pairing. The path through the forest is lined with small subsidiary shrines, clear streams, and stone monuments, each with a story worth pausing for.
Japan · 58 The overlooked corners inside
The overlooked corners inside
Inoue-sha Shrine
Inside Shimogamo Shrine's precincts stands a small subsidiary shrine called Inoue-sha, named for the ancient well it is built directly above. It enshrines Seooritsu-hime no Mikoto, a deity associated with the purification of sins and spiritual cleansing. The pond beside the shrine is known as Mitarashi-ike, and the stream flowing from it is the Mitarashi-gawa. Here, during the Mitarashi Matsuri (a summer foot-wading ritual held on the Day of the Ox in midsummer) and the Nagoshi no Oharae purification rite on the eve of Risshū (the start of autumn), worshippers perform ablutions in the spring water. The shrine's name, its position over a well, and the water rituals performed on its banks form an unbroken thread from place-name to ceremony.
Sources: inariage.com · hirotravel.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Kawai-jinja Shrine
Near the entrance to Shimogamo Shrine's main approach stands Kawai-jinja, a shrine with deep ties to Kamo no Chomei, the author of Hojoki (An Account of My Hut). Within the precincts is a faithful reconstruction of the small dwelling described in that celebrated essay — a hut reportedly just one jo (about three metres) square, built to be dismantled and moved. Set against the shrine's formal main hall, this humble structure becomes the most thought-provoking corner of the grounds, a reminder that this is also the setting of Japan's great medieval literature of solitude and impermanence.
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Mitarashi-sha Shrine
Beside Mitarashi-sha is a pool fed by natural springs — the Mitarashi-ike — and the Mitarashi-gawa stream that flows from it. This water has a particular distinction: during the Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival), the woman chosen as Saio-dai (the symbolic imperial princess) uses it to perform a purification rite. In other words, the oldest festival in Kyoto begins its cleansing ritual here, at this single spring. When you pass by, take a moment at the poolside — it is both a highlight and a holy source.
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
East Main Hall (Higashi Honden)
The East Main Hall is one of two main halls standing side by side within the inner sanctum of Shimogamo Shrine, enshrining Tamayori-hime no Mikoto. It was designated a Special Protected Structure under the Ancient Shrines and Temples Preservation Law in 1901, and elevated to National Treasure status under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties in 1953. From the mid-Heian period (roughly the 10th–11th centuries), the halls were rebuilt every 21 years in a shikinen-sengu (periodic rebuilding) cycle, but after the National Treasure designation, full rebuilding gave way to partial restoration. The structure standing before you today is the result of that shift in conservation policy.
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
West Main Hall (Nishi Honden)
The West Main Hall stands alongside the East Main Hall as the second of the paired main halls, enshrining Kamo-taketsunumi no Mikoto. Like its counterpart, it was designated a Special Protected Structure in 1901 and declared a National Treasure in 1953. These two halls alone hold National Treasure status; the other 31 structures in the precincts are classified separately as Important Cultural Properties. The periodic rebuilding (shikinen-sengu) conducted every 21 years since the mid-Heian period shifted from full reconstruction to partial restoration after the National Treasure designation — and the halls survive in their current form because of that change.
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Atago-sha Shrine
Atago-sha is one of the massha (minor subsidiary shrines) within Shimogamo Shrine's precin… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org · furafurakyoto.com
Inari-sha Shrine
Inari-sha is a small subsidiary shrine (*massha*) enshrining the deity of Inari faith — mo… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org · furafurakyoto.com
Artillery Shell from the Russo-Japanese War
This artillery shell was dedicated to Shimogamo Shrine in connection with the Russo-Japane… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Karasaki-sha Momiji Bridge Worship Point
This is a worship point (*yohai-sho*) facing the direction of the original Karasaki-sha, a… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: kyotohotelsearch.com · my10.jp
34th Shikinen-Sengu Memorial Stone (2015)
This stone was erected to commemorate the 34th shikinen-sengu (periodic rebuilding and ren… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ikuiku-1919.at.webry.info · city.kyoto.lg.jp
Ogatama Tree
The ogatama tree (*Michelia compressa*) is an evergreen traditionally planted at Japanese… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Momiji (Maple) Planting Memorial
This stone is inscribed "34th Shikinen-Sengu — Imperial Visit Memorial — Momiji" and was e… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: openstreetmap.org
Megusurinoki (Acer maximowiczianum)
*Megusurinoki* (literally "eye-drop tree," *Acer maximowiczianum* — also known as Nikko ma… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Aoi-no-ya (Wedding Hall)
Aoi-no-ya — also called the *Azukari-ya* (reception building) — now serves as a Shinto wed… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Shinpuku-den (Shrine Vestment Hall)
Shinpuku-den is one of the precinct's Important Cultural Property structures, designated a… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Kugo-sho (Imperial Offering Kitchen)
Kugo-sho was designated an Important Cultural Property in 1903 alongside the Shinpuku-den… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Oidon (Sacred Kitchen)
Oidon (*oidono*) is the shrine's sacred kitchen — the building where *shinsen* (offerings… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · jisyameguri.com · blog.kanko.jp
Hashi-dono (Bridge Hall)
Hashi-dono is one of the precinct's 31 Important Cultural Property structures. As the name… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Rōmon (Two-Storied Gate)
The *rōmon* (two-storied gate) stands 13 metres tall and was built in 1628. It belongs to… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · the-kyoto.jp · ja.wikipedia.org
Ōnamuchi-no-Kami
Ōnamuchi-no-Kami is one of the seven divine names (*mitama-no-na*) of Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Yachihoko-no-Kami
Yachihoko-no-Kami — meaning "the powerful deity who wields eight thousand spears" — is one… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Ōmononushi-no-Kami
Ōmononushi-no-Kami — meaning "the great lord who governs all spirits" — is one of the divi… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Shikoo-no-Kami
Shikoo-no-Kami is one of the divine names of Ōkuninushi-no-Mikoto, representing a divine a… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Ōkuninushi-no-Kami
Ōkuninushi-no-Kami — "the great lord who governs the land" — is the central name among the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
East Worship Hall (Higashi Omiya)
Higashi Omiya is the outer worship area in front of the National Treasure East Main Hall… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · ja.wikipedia.org
West Worship Hall (Nishi Omiya)
Nishi Omiya is the outer worship area in front of the National Treasure West Main Hall, wh… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · ja.wikipedia.org
Norito-sha (Liturgy Hall)
Norito-sha is an Important Cultural Property building that forms part of the main shrine c… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Hei-den (Offering and Worship Hall)
Hei-den is an Important Cultural Property notable for combining two functions in a single… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Tamayori-hime no Mikoto Shrine
Tamayori-hime no Mikoto is the principal deity of the National Treasure East Main Hall, an… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Goryō-ya (Ritual Stores)
Goryō-ya are Important Cultural Property storehouses; the precinct has both an East Goryō-… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Naka-mon (Middle Gate / Shikkyaku Chumon)
The Naka-mon — formally the *Shikkyaku Chumon* (four-legged middle gate) — is an Important… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Sashi-kura (Log Storehouse)
Sashi-kura was built in 1629 and stands just inside the Rōmon gate. It is an Important Cul… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: kunishitei.bunka.go.jp
Kara-mon (Chinese-style Gate)
The Kara-mon — specifically the Nishi Kara-mon (West Kara-mon) on the western side of the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Ōkunitama-no-Kami
Ōkunitama-no-Kami — "the great spirit-soul of the land" — is one of the seven divine names… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Hoso-dono (Narrow Hall)
Hoso-dono stands right beside the Mitarashi-ike pond and is an Important Cultural Property… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Utsushikunitama-no-Kami
Utsushikunitama-no-Kami — "the spirit of the land made manifest in this world" — is one of… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: inariage.com · shimogamo-jinja.or.jp
Mii-sha Well Cover (Idoyakata)
The well-cover structure (*idoyakata*) in the Mii-sha precinct shelters the sacred wells k… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: kyoto-stories.com · furafurakyoto.com
Mii-jinja Shrine
Mii-jinja is one of Shimogamo Shrine's sessha (principal affiliated shrines), listed in th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Igakoyahime no Mikoto
Igakoyahime no Mikoto is one of the three deities enshrined in Mii-sha, the small sanctuar… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: kyoto-stories.com · onhome.seesaa.net
Komori-sha — Mikumari-no-Kami
Mikumari-no-Kami ("deity of water distribution") has been venerated since ancient times at… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Mii (Sacred Well)
The Mii is a sacred well designated as an Important Cultural Property — rare recognition f… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · jisyameguri.com · blog.kanko.jp
Taketsunumi no Mikoto
Kamo-taketsunumi no Mikoto is the deity enshrined in the West Main Hall (National Treasure… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Shirahige-sha — Ōinoki no Mikoto
Shirahige-sha typically venerates Sarutahiko no Mikoto or Shirahige Daimyōjin, deities ass… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com
Ritual Site Remains
Archaeological excavations within the Shimogamo Shrine precinct have uncovered Jomon-perio… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ameblo.jp · kyototravel.info
Suwa-sha — Takeminakata-no-Kami
Suwa-sha is a subsidiary shrine venerating Takeminakata-no-Kami, invited from Suwa Grand S… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com
Innō-sha Shrine
Innō-sha is a massha (minor subsidiary shrine) within Shimogamo's inner precincts, enshrin… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: wayusoan.ajec.co.jp · baja-bluet.com
Harai-no-Yashiro (Purification Shrine)
Harai-no-Yashiro is a massha (minor subsidiary shrine) located just west of the Naka-mon g… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: kyotohotelsearch.com
Kifune-jinja Shrine
Kifune-jinja is a subsidiary shrine (*sessha*) that has invited the deity of Kibune Shrine… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com
Mii-sha Shrine
Mii-sha enshrines three deities: Kamo-taketsunumi no Mikoto, Tamayori-hime no Mikoto, and… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: kyoto-stories.com · furafurakyoto.com · onhome.seesaa.net
Ninbe-sha
Ninbe-sha is one of the subsidiary shrines within Kawai-jinja's own grounds. Kawai-jinja —… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Roku-shōsha (Six Subsidiary Shrines)
Roku-shōsha ("six shrines") is the collective name for the six subsidiary shrines within K… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Sawata-sha Shrine
Sawata-sha is one of Shimogamo Shrine's massha, standing along the approach through Tadasu… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
Ema Votive Board Rack
The ema rack (*ema-kakejo*) is where worshippers hang their wooden votive tablets (*ema*)… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · hirotravel.com
Rei-den (Prayer Hall)
Rei-den (*reiden*), also called the prayer hall (*kitōsho*), is the building where individ… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com
Kamo Saiin Imperial Vestals Memorial Shrine
This shrine venerates the spirits of the 35 imperial vestals (*saio*, also called *itsuki… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: shimogamo-jinja.or.jp · ja.wikipedia.org
Nijūnisho-sha (Twenty-Two Shrines)
Nijūnisho-sha is a sessha (affiliated shrine) of Shimogamo Shrine. Its name refers to the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: furafurakyoto.com · ja.wikipedia.org
Kōsaki-no-Yashiro Shrine
The formal reading of this massha's name is *Kōsaki-no-Yashiro* — not "Kawasaki," as the o… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: openstreetmap.org · ja.wikipedia.org
Condominium Development Adjacent to the Precinct
In March 2015 it was reported that a condominium development was planned on land to the so… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org
FAQ
What overlooked corners are worth seeing inside Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo-mioya-jinja)?
Inoue-sha Shrine, Kawai-jinja Shrine, Mitarashi-sha Shrine and more — 58 spots in all, each with sources and a guide in your language to read or listen to on the spot.
Is the Shimogamo Shrine (Kamo-mioya-jinja) guide free?
The first 5 spots are free to read; the other 53 unlock with a one-time purchase (not a subscription).