Kyoto Shrine Tour: 5 Must-Visit Unique Shrines! Learn the Proper Way to Worship

Guardian of Legs and Back, the Adorable Boar Shrine: “Goou Shrine”

Wild boars have become a symbol of protection at Goou Shrine.

Located on Karasuma Street, west of Kyoto Imperial Palace, Goou Shrine enshrines the deities Wake no Kiyomaro and his sister, Wake no Hiromushi-hime, known for their role in the construction of Heian-kyo (ancient Kyoto). Goou Shrine is famous for protecting the health of legs and backs. According to legend, Wake no Kiyomaro, who had angered a traitor, was attacked and had his tendons cut before being exiled to Kagoshima. However, during his journey, a group of 300 wild boars surrounded and protected him, driving away assassins. Eventually, his legs were healed, and he regained his ability to walk. This is why wild boars have become a symbol of protection at Goou Shrine.

Wild boars setup everywhere.

If you wish to pray for recovery from leg or back injuries, you can touch the foot-shaped stone within the shrine. If you have time, visit the shrine’s rest area, where various boar-themed items donated from across Japan are on display.

Goou Shrine Address: 385 Okakuen-cho, Shimochojamachi-sagaru, Karasuma-dori, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi Opening Hours: 06:00–21:00 (Reception at the shrine office from 09:30 to 17:00),Open year-round Transportation: About 7 minutes on foot from Marutamachi Station (Subway)

Website: https://www.tourist-guide.net/en/kyoto/archives/2694?lang=e

The Super Cute Rabbit Shrine: “Okazaki Shrine”

Rabbit statues can be seen everywhere in the shrine.

Also known as the "Rabbit Shrine," Okazaki Shrine is situated in an area where wild rabbits once lived. Rabbits are seen as symbols of fertility due to their prolific nature, and thus, the shrine has become a popular place to pray for fertility, safe childbirth, and happy marriages. The "Koyoshi Rabbit" at the shrine's purification fountain, made of black granite, is particularly famous. It’s said that pouring water over the rabbit and rubbing its belly can bless you with children and ensure a safe pregnancy.

There are three rows of rabbit fortune sticks placed in the center of the shrine. Although they are small in size, their expressions are very cute.

Rabbit motifs can be found throughout the shrine, including statues, paintings, lanterns, and even omamori (charms). The shrine has recently gained popularity on Instagram, as its unique rabbit-themed decorations have made it a prime location for photos.

Okazaki Shrine is famous for its efficacious prayers for marriage, children, and safe childbirth. Its amulets and earth bells are also related to rabbits.

Okazaki Shrine (Rabbit Shrine) Address: 51 Okazaki Higashi-Tenno-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00,Open year-round Transportation: 2 minutes on foot from the Okazaki Jinja-mae bus stop

Shrine of the Legendary Onmyoji: “Seimei Shrine”

The "divine crest" of Seimei Shrine is called Seimei Kikyo, a unique talisman pattern created by him, symbolizing freedom from disaster and evil.

In a quiet corner of Kyoto’s Kamigyo Ward lies Seimei Shrine, dedicated to Abe no Seimei, a renowned Onmyoji (master of yin-yang divination) from the Heian period. While most shrine gates display the name of the deity enshrined, Seimei Shrine’s torii gate is unique in that it only displays a five-pointed star, the Seimei Kikyō, the shrine’s emblem representing the five elements of yin-yang cosmology.

In recent years, Seimei Shrine has gained even more popularity thanks to various films, anime, and novels that highlight Abe no Seimei’s mystic powers. Fans of the Onmyoji will want to visit the shrine to feel the aura of one of Japan’s most revered spiritual figures.

The statue of Seimei in front of the main hall is based on a portrait of Abe no Seimei.

Seimei Shrine Address: 806 Seimei-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City (Horikawa-dori Ichijo Agaru) Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00,Open year-round Transportation: About 12 minutes on foot from Imadegawa Station (Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line) or right by the Ichijo Modoribashi/Seimei Shrine bus stop

Famous Plum Blossom Viewing and the Shrine for Students: “Kitano Tenmangu”

Both the cow and the plum are symbolic representations of Sugawara no Michizane's deep connection.

Founded in 947, Kitano Tenmangu, along with Dazaifu Tenmangu, is one of Japan’s most important shrines dedicated to the deity of learning, Sugawara no Michizane. Each year, countless students visit the shrine to pray for success in their exams. According to legend, rubbing the bronze cow statues at the entrance will grant you academic achievements.

Kitano Tenmangu is also famous for plum blossom viewing, with the best time to visit being from late February to mid-March when the white and pink plum blossoms are in full bloom. The shrine’s plum garden is open to the public for only two months each year, during which night-time illuminations make the blossoms even more magical.

- Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, where Sugawara no Michizane, the Japanese god of learning, is enshrined, is planted with plum blossoms.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Address: Bakuro-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City (Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Office) Opening Hours: 07:00–17:00,Open year-round Transportation: About 6 minutes on foot from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station (Keifuku Electric Railroad) or directly from the Kitano Tenmangu-mae bus stop Website: https://kitanotenmangu.or.jp/en/

Path of the Night Parade of 100 Demons: “Daishogun Hach Jinja Shrine” Daishogun Hachi Jinja Shrine is the guardian shrine of Heian-kyo and was one of the "12 shrines for the removal of evil spirits" during the Edo period.

Daishogun Hachi Jinja Shrine, guarded by eight generals, is located along the infamous Ichijo Street, said to be the path of the “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons.” At the heart of the shrine lies a large stone, the “Eight Trigram Sacred Stone,” which blends Chinese yin-yang theory with the concept of the eight trigrams of feng shui. The stone also bears an inscription commemorating the shrine’s 1,200-year history. The shrine’s goshuin (stamp book) features deep blue hues with white, yellow, and indigo threads, symbolizing the North Star and the zodiac constellations, reflecting its connection to astrology and the yin-yang philosophy.

The shrine’s goshuin (stamp book) features deep blue hues with white, yellow, and indigo threads, symbolizing the North Star and the zodiac constellations. Near the shrine, shops sell various yokai (monster) memorabilia such as masks, adding to the mystical atmosphere. You can even visit the Night Parade of One Hundred Demons Museum to dive deeper into the folklore.

Daishogun Hachi Jinja Shrine Address: 48 Nishimachi, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City (Ichijo-dori Omiya Nishi-iru) Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00,Open year-round Transportation: About 7–8 minutes on foot from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station (Keifuku Electric Railroad) or 5 minutes on foot from Kitano Tenmangu-mae/Kitano-Hakubaicho bus stop

Website: https://daishogun.or.jp/english/

Tips for Visiting Shrines:

1.The Difference Between Shrines and Temples Shrines are dedicated to Shinto, the indigenous belief system of Japan. They often feature a torii gate that marks the boundary between the human and spiritual realms. While many shrines are named after the deities they enshrine, elements from the natural world, such as animals, are also worshipped as gods. For example, at Fushimi Inari Shrine, foxes are the messengers of the deity of agriculture and commerce, and you will find fox statues throughout the shrine.

2.How to Worship at Shrines: Two Bows, Two Claps, One Bow When visiting a shrine, there are certain rituals to follow. The torii gate marks the entrance to the sacred area, and upon entering, it’s customary to bow lightly and walk on either the left or right side of the path, as the center is reserved for the deities.

Before praying, purify yourself at the "temizuya" (water pavilion) by scooping water with a wooden ladle to wash your hands and rinse your mouth.

When offering your prayer at the main shrine, bow deeply twice, clap your hands twice, silently offer your prayer, then bow once more.

3.How Much Money to Offer? 5 Yen vs. 10 Yen When offering money, it’s not the amount that matters but the symbolism. The 5 yen coin is considered the best choice because its pronunciation in Japanese, "go-en," sounds like the word for “fate” or “relationship,” symbolizing a good connection with the gods. However, avoid offering 10 yen coins, as their pronunciation is associated with distance, which is considered inauspicious.