Kamigamo Shrine
上賀茂神社（賀茂別雷神社）
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Kyoto's oldest shrines. It is famous for the pair of cone-shaped Tachisuna sand mounds in front of the Hosoden hall and for the Aoi Festival.
Kamigamo Shrine's official name is Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine. Together with Shimogamo Shrine, it forms the Kamo Shrines, and it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.” After walking along a broad lawn approach, you reach the pair of cone-shaped Tachisuna sand mounds in front of the Hosoden hall. They imitate sacred mountains and are the symbol of the shrine. The main sanctuary and the Gonden are National Treasures. A clear stream called Naranoogawa flows through the grounds, making the environment far more peaceful than the shrines in the city center. On May 15 every year, the procession of the Aoi Festival leaves the Kyoto Imperial Palace, passes through Shimogamo Shrine, and ends here. Entry to the grounds is free, and a special visit to the main sanctuary costs about 500 yen. Getting there: take City Bus route 4 or 46 and get off at Kamigamo-jinja-mae, or walk about 20 minutes from Kitayama Station on the subway.
Opening hours
Inside the second torii gate 05:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Daitoku-ji
- Shimogamo Shrine
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Kitano Tenmangu
- Kyoto Imperial Palace
- Ryoan-ji
- Nijo Castle
- Ninna-ji