- Address: 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 605-0073
- Phone: +81 75-561-6155
- Opening hours: 10: 00-17: 00
- Official website: yasaka-jinja.or.jp
One of the most famous and visited sacred places in Kyoto is the Shinto shrine of Yasaka Jinja. This sanctuary is located in the eastern part of the city at the foot of Mount Higashiyama in the historic quarter of Gion. The temple is dedicated to several deities of the numerous pantheon, which is reflected in the literal translation - "Temple of the Eight Hills". Yasaka dzinzya is famous, first of all, one of the oldest festivals of the country - Gion Matsuri.
The history of the creation of Yasak dzinzya
The foundation of the temple dates back to 656. Originally, the sanctuary was called Jevatana-vihara. It was built to appease the god-immigrant from India Gosirsha-devaraja, who sent various troubles and illnesses to the city. It was then that the traditional celebration of the Gion-Matsuri festival was born to pacify the angry god. After a long dwelling in Japan, Gosirsha-devaraja reborn into a more intimate goddess, Godzu Tenno, who later was identified with Susanoo no Mikoto. In connection with this, the Shinto shrine for several decades changed several names: Gion Tendzin, Giona Chumney, Gion-san and Gion-hsia. The permanent official name of Yasaka dzinzya temple was found only in 1868.
The territory of the Shinto sanctuary
The main temple complex was erected in 1654 in the traditional architectural style of Gion. It includes several ancient buildings, a gate, the main hall, a stage for rituals and performances. The main hall of Khonden differs in a specially intertwined thick rope of Simenava stretched under the roof itself. Inside the hall you can see the altar with gifts for the gods, sliding walls with Shinto painting, and the floor is laid with red rugs and bamboo mats.
The ceremonial platform, located in the central part, is decorated with a huge number of traditional paper lanterns of white color. With the onset of darkness, all these lights turn on, creating a bright illumination. The most popular place of the temple complex is Maruyama Park.
How to get to the temple?
The Shinto Sanctuary of Yasaka Jinja is a 15-minute ride by public transport from Kyoto's main station, Gion. You can get there by bus number 100 or 206. You can also get by train, which goes along the line of Hankyu and Ceyhan. Not far from the church are the railway stations of Kavaramati and Shijo. From the nearest international airport of Osaka via Names of God the high-speed road by car to the destination can be reached in about 1 hour.