Heian Jingu
平安神宮
Built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the capital's move to Heian-kyō, with a vermilion torii gate and shrine buildings modeled on the Heian Palace.
Heian Jingu is a scaled-down reconstruction of the Heian Palace's Chodoin Hall. The vermilion and turquoise Ōtenmon gate and the Daigokuden hall evoke the splendor of the imperial court. The large torii gate on the approach, about 24 meters tall, is a landmark of the Okazaki area. Behind the shrine lies a circuit garden of about 30,000 square meters, designed by the master gardener Ogawa Jihei. Its red weeping cherry trees in spring were described in Tanizaki Jun'ichirō's novel The Makioka Sisters. Entry to the shrine grounds is free, and the garden costs about 600 yen. It is generally open from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (hours change with the seasons). Nearby are the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art and the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–18:00 (Shinen garden 08:30–17:30)
Nearby sights
- Chion-in
- Nanzen-ji
- Eikando Zenrin-ji
- Yasaka Shrine
- Pontocho
- Gion & Hanamikoji Street
- Kodai-ji
- Philosopher's Path