Kyoto Travel: Yasaka Shrine

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Home - Travel - Sightseeing Guide - Kansai - Kyoto - Eastern Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine

of 59 most visited
sights in Kyoto

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The main hall (right) and dance stage (left)

Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社, Yasaka Jinja), also known as Gion Shrine, is one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. Founded over 1350 years ago, the shrine is located between the popular Gion District and Higashiyama District, and is often visited by tourists walking between the two districts.

The shrine's main hall combines the honden (inner sanctuary) and haiden (offering hall) into a single building. In front of it stands a dance stage with hundreds of lanterns that get lit in the evenings. Each lantern bears the name of a local business in return for a donation.

Yasaka Shrine is well known for its summer festival, the Gion Matsuri, which is celebrated every July. Arguably the most famous festival in the whole country, the Gion Matsuri dates back over a thousand years and involves a procession with massive floats and hundreds of participants. The shrine also becomes busy during the cherry blossom season around early April, as the adjacent Maruyama Park is one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Kyoto.

One of the entrances to the shrine grounds

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How to get there

Yasaka Shrine can be reached by bus from Kyoto Station in about 20 minutes. Take number 100 or 206 and get off at Gion bus stop. The closest train stations are Gion Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.

Alternatively, the 20-30 minute walk from Kiyomizudera through the narrow lanes of the Higashiyama District to Yasaka Shrine is highly recommended.

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Hours and Fees

Hours:	Always open
Closed:	No closing days
Admission:	Free

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Hotels and Ryokan

Kyoto offers a wide range of accommodation for all budgets and tastes, including historic ryokan, Western style hotels and low-budget hostels. Among the most attractive districts to stay are the Kyoto Station area, the city center around Shijo Street and the Higashiyama District.

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	Gion Hatanaka A real Japanese inn in a quiet area of Gion, famous for Geisha. 15min walk to Kiyomizu-dera. 5min to Yasaka-jinja.
	Ryokan Saka-no-ue Traditional, cozy ryokan with 12 rooms. Japanese cottage style houses available. Located near Yasaka Shrine and Gion.
	Ryokan Motonago A real traditional inn at Gion with 11 rooms, friendly staff. Walking distance of Kiyomizu-dera, Yasaka-jinja and more.
	Gion Shinmonso A fine ryokan in the Gion near geisha streets. Easy access to Kiyomizu-dera and Yasaka-jinja. Special offers available.

Backpackers Hostel Ks House Kyoto
One of Kyoto's most popular hostels. A ten minute walk from Kyoto Station.
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Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Located inside Kyoto Station, this is Kyoto's most convenient 4-star hotel.
Reserve through Agoda or Japanican

Hotel Hokke Club Kyoto
Inexpensive, no-frills business hotel conveniently located across Kyoto Station.
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Hyatt Regency Kyoto Hotel
Elegant luxury hotel located near Sanjusangendo Temple.
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New Miyako Hotel Kyoto
Just across the street from Kyoto Station, this is a very convenient 3-star hotel.
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User Ratings

Ratings for Yasaka Shrine:

japan-guide.com Rating:		interesting
User Rating (by 503 users):	77/100	recommended

Best rated sights nationwide (out of 727):

451. Nakijin Castle (Okinawa Island) 77/100

452. Tokyo Dome City (Tokyo) 77/100

453. Edo Open Air Museum (Tokyo) 77/100

454. Myohonji Temple (Kamakura) 77/100

455. Higashiyama Onsen (Aizu) 77/100

456. Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto) 77/100

457. Nozawa Ski Resort (Nozawa Onsen) 77/100

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460. Tokeiji Temple (Kamakura) 77/100

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59. Roppongi Hills (Tokyo) 1006

60. Horyuji Temple (Nara) 1001

61. Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto) 991

62. Kofukuji Temple (Nara) 989

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English Links

Yasaka Shrine
Official English website.

Japanese Links

Yasaka Shrine
Official website.

Related Pages

Travel
Sightseeing
Kansai Region
Kyoto

Central Kyoto
Northern Kyoto
Western Kyoto
Southern Kyoto

Eastern Kyoto
Higashiyama District
Sanjusangendo Temple
Kiyomizudera Temple
Kodaiji Temple
Gion District
Yasaka Shrine
Maruyama Park
Chionin Temple
Shorenin Temple
Heian Shrine
Nanzenji Temple
Eikando Temple
Philosopher's Path
Ginkakuji Temple
Shinnyodo Temple

Shrine
Shinto
Gion Matsuri

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