Yasaka shrine in Kyoto

Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 八坂神社; Yasaka-jinja]
Yasaka shrine is also called "Gion-san" [Japanese: 祇園さん] because Yasaka shrine was once called Gion shrine(=Gion-jinja).
Yasaka shrine is the second most popular shrines in Kyoto.
Yasaka shrine welcomes about 1 millions of people for New Year.

We walked Shijo street [Japanese: 四条通; Shijō-dori] 

from Gion-Shijo station [Japanese: 祇園四条駅; Gion-Shijō]

to the east.

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main entrance of Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 西楼門] on Shijo street.

 

 

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After we entered the main entrance [桜門],

 

a Daruma dolls stand
(Daruma dolls are regarded as a talisman of good luck and seen as a symbol of perseverance and good luck.)
 

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After keep walking the pathway [Japanese: 参道],

main hall of Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 本殿; Honden].
 Main hall is one of the Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

In front of the main hall, 

there was a Kagura hall or Maidono [Japanese:神楽殿 or 舞殿].
(Kagura hall: music pavilion in a Shinto shrine dedicated to Noh or the sacred kagura dance)
 

 

Backside of main hall,

there was a place to tie Omikuji and Ema.
(O-mikuji: fortune slip)
(Ema: wooden plaques bearing prayers or wishes)
 

 

In front of Omikuji area, 

there was "Utsukushi-Gozensha" [Japanese: 美御前社].

 The god of Utsukushi-Gozensha is the god of the beauty.

Episode of Yasaka shrine

TOMO&CHOUCHOU went to Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 八坂神社; Yasaka-jinja) in Kyoto for New Year's.
Tomo&Chouchou went to Kyoto by train, then we walked Shijō street [Japanese: 四条通; Shijō-dōri) from Gion-Shijō station [祇園四条駅] to Yasaka shrine.
On Shijō street(=forth avenue), there were many Kyoto-taste shops. It was enjoyable to seee while walking!
After Keep walking Shijō street to the east, we could find the main entrance of the Yasaka shrine [Japanese: 西楼門].
After the entrance, we found many stands (Japanese: 屋台; yatai).
Chouchou was happy to find a Daruma dolls stand, then Chouchou prayed to the Daruma doll.
Keep walking the pathway through the crowd, we found a main hall [Japanese: 本殿; Honden) which was one of the Important Cultural Properties of Japan [重要文化財]. There were so many people in the shrine but we could pray well.
In front of the main hall, there was a maidono [舞殿] which is decorated with lots of Japanese lanterns.
Back side of main hall, there was a place to tie Omikuji [Japanese: おみくじ] or Ema [Japanese: 絵馬].
In front of omikuji area, there was "Utsukushi-Gozensha" [Japanese: 美御前社]. Tomo was happily surprised to find the god of the beauty at Utsukushi-Gozensha! In front of the shrine, there was sacred water [Japanese: 神水]. This sacred water cures skin problems and makes us beautiful from the heart. Of course, Tomo put sacred water to her skin and prayed for the beauty!

Then, we went to the park which is called "Maruyama-Kōen" [Japanese: 円山公園] where is located in the east side of Yasaka shrine. We enjoyed Shijo area in New Year's. It was the good start of the year!

Tomo&Chouchou's advices for Yasaka shrine

Yasaka shrine is popular all year rounds. 

Yasaka shrine is famous for Gion festival(=祇園祭; Gion-matsuri). It is held in July every year. At this time, it is super crowded around Shijo area.

Maruyama-Kōen has excellent cherry blossom (=Shidare-sakura), so Shijo area is very crowded during spring, especially cherry blossom season (=Hanami season).

The entrances and exits of Yasaka shrine are never closed, so you can visit and pray at night too.

Please enjoy Yasaka shrine each season !


Address
625, Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
[京都府京都市東山区祇園町北側625番地]

Transportation
about 5min. on foot from Gion-Shijo station of Keihan line [京阪祇園四条駅]
or
About 8min. on foot from Kawaramachi station of Hankyu line [阪急河原町駅]
or
about 15min. by car from Kyoto station of JR line [ＪＲ京都駅]
or
in front of "Gion" bus stop of Kyoto city bus 206 from JR Kyoto station