Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto

The Yasaka Shrine is a Shinto temple located in the Gion District of Kyoto, and is famous for being the venue of the Gion Matsuri Summer festival celebrated in July. In 869, portable shrines, called the Omikoshi, were paraded through the streets of Kyoto as an appeal to the deity for relief from a deadly epidemic that ravaged the city. Since then it has become an annual tradition in Kyoto.

The Yasaka Shrine was built in 656 AD and was dedicated to the God of prosperity, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, his wife and 8 children. The present shrine is the result of a reconstruction of the original buildings carried out in 1654.

The entrance to the Yasaka Shrine is through a red two-storey gate, called the Ro-Mon, flanked by statues of Shinto guardian Gods, while the steps to the shrine are guarded by figures of Korean Dogs. The Honden is the main hall where the Deity is worshiped. Worshipers ring the bell at the entrance to wake the Deity up before praying. To the left of the Honden is the hall for offerings, and to the right is the hall where religious ceremonies are performed. Kyoto residents flock to the shrine on a New Year Day to pray for prosperity in the coming year. The Maruyama Park near the shrine is Kyoto’s most famous venue for cherry blossom viewing in spring.

Why You Should Visit:
One of the sites worth exploring in the Gion part of Kyoto, and a great starting point for a walk to Kiyomizu-dera.
You can visit the shrine at any time as the gates are never closed. It is free to enter to wander around the grounds.
There are some decent street food options within and plenty of vending machines around so you won't go hungry/thirsty.

Tip:
Try visiting in the evening when the lanterns are illuminated everywhere in the shrine surroundings. The view on the city from the main gate is also particularly nice at this time.
If you go in the late afternoon, just before sunset, you'll find lots of girls wearing traditional clothes. If you are polite, they will probably love to smile for your picture.