Shimogamo Shrine: Ancient Primeval Forest & UNESCO World Heritage in Kyoto

Introduction

In Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward, where the Kamo River and Takano River converge, lies the primeval forest known as Tadasu no Mori. As you walk through its deep green canopy, the vermilion tower gate gradually reveals itself in quiet splendor. Shimogamo Shrine — officially named Kamomioya Shrine (Kamo-mioya-jinja) — is one of Kyoto’s most ancient shrines, said to have been founded approximately 2,600 years ago. In 1994, it was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”

The charm of Shimogamo Shrine lies above all in its space where deep history and rich nature become one. Tadasu no Mori, spanning approximately 124,000 square meters (about 2.6 times the size of Tokyo Dome), is a precious natural forest that preserves remnants of a primeval woodland dating back to the Jomon period. Walking through this forest, with its towering ancient trees ranging from 200 to over 600 years old, you feel as though you’ve been transported back to ancient Kyoto, far removed from the bustle of the modern city. The light filtering through the trees, the softness of moss underfoot, and the murmur of streams — you can sense the air of this “sacred ground” with all five senses.

Shimogamo Shrine is also widely known as a power spot for romantic matchmaking, and the Aioi Shrine within the grounds draws a constant stream of visitors seeking good romantic fortune. It is famous as the venue for the Aoi Matsuri (Hollyhock Festival), one of Kyoto’s three great festivals, and the thrilling Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual. It even holds the surprising distinction of being the birthplace of mitarashi dango, a sweet that every Japanese person knows. In this article, we will thoroughly introduce the history, highlights, surrounding spots, and access information for Shimogamo Shrine.

Overview of Shimogamo Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine is an ancient shrine of the highest rank (Ichinomiya of Yamashiro Province), located in Shimogamo Izumikawa-cho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. Its official name is Kamomioya Shrine (Kamo-mioya-jinja). The word “mioya” means “mother” or “ancestor,” deriving from the fact that the shrine enshrines the mother and grandfather of Kamowakeikazuchi-no-Okami, the deity of Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine).

*Please check the official Shimogamo Shrine website for the latest visiting hours and fees.

Together with Kamigamo Shrine, Shimogamo Shrine is collectively referred to as the “Kamo Shrines” and has maintained deep ties with the Imperial Court and the Imperial Family since ancient times as a Chokusaisha (shrine attended by imperial envoy). Listed as a Myojin Taisha in the Engishiki Jimmyocho (a registry of shrines), it has received the highest reverence as the Ichinomiya (first-ranking shrine) of Yamashiro Province. The grounds contain two National Treasure buildings — the East and West Main Halls — along with 53 Important Cultural Properties, making it a remarkable concentration of precious shrine architectural heritage.

The East Main Hall enshrines Tamayori-hime-no-Mikoto, while the West Main Hall enshrines Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto. Tamayori-hime-no-Mikoto is the mother of Kamowakeikazuchi-no-Okami (the deity of Kamigamo Shrine), and Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto is his grandfather. Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto is also known from the myth in which he transformed into the three-legged crow Yatagarasu to guide Emperor Jimmu during his eastern expedition. He is thus worshipped as a god of guidance and victory. The Yatagarasu emblem used by the Japan Football Association originates from this deity. The shrine receives approximately 2 million visitors annually, with about 300,000 worshippers during the New Year’s hatsumode period.

History of Shimogamo Shrine

1. The Age of Mythology: Ancestral Deities of the Kamo Clan and the Legend of Yatagarasu

The history of Shimogamo Shrine dates back to the age of mythology. According to shrine tradition, a sacred fence was constructed in the 7th year of Emperor Sujin’s reign (around 90 BCE), which is considered the official founding date of Shimogamo Shrine. However, archaeological surveys have uncovered Jomon period artifacts in the Tadasu no Mori area, suggesting that this land has been revered as a sacred site since far more ancient times.

Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto, one of the two deities enshrined at Shimogamo Shrine, played an extremely important role in Japanese mythology. According to the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, when Emperor Jimmu was making his eastern expedition from Hyuga Province (present-day Miyazaki Prefecture) to Yamato Province (present-day Nara Prefecture), he became lost in Kumano in the Kii region. At that moment, a three-legged crow called Yatagarasu, sent by the sun goddess Amaterasu, appeared and guided him through the treacherous mountains to Yamato. This Yatagarasu is said to be the transformed form of Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto.

The other enshrined deity, Tamayori-hime-no-Mikoto, is the daughter of Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto. The legend tells that while Tamayori-hime-no-Mikoto was purifying herself in the Kamo River, she picked up a vermilion-painted arrow that had floated down from upstream and placed it by her bed. She then became pregnant and gave birth to a boy who would become Kamowakeikazuchi-no-Okami (the deity of Kamigamo Shrine). This “Ninuri-ya (vermilion arrow) legend” is at the core of the Kamo clan’s founding mythology and is essential for understanding the relationship between Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine. In other words, Shimogamo Shrine enshrines the “mother” (Tamayori-hime-no-Mikoto) and “grandfather” (Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto) of Kamigamo Shrine’s deity, which is the origin of the name “Mioya” (ancestral parent).

2. The Heian Period: Guardian Shrine of the Capital and the Flourishing of the Aoi Matsuri

With the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo (794), Shimogamo Shrine solidified its position as a guardian deity of Kyoto. Emperor Kanmu deeply revered the Kamo Shrines, located to the northeast of Heian-kyo, as protectors of the imperial capital, treating them alongside Kamigamo Shrine as equivalent to the Imperial Family’s tutelary shrine. In 796, the Kamo Shrines were granted the hollyhock crest, and the Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival) came to be conducted grandly as a national ceremony.

The Aoi Matsuri during the Heian period was a city-wide grand event. The procession of approximately 500 people dressed in Heian-period court attire, proceeding from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and then to Kamigamo Shrine, was a magnificent spectacle that drew crowds of spectators along the route. In the “Aoi” chapter of The Tale of Genji, there is a famous scene where Lady Aoi (Hikaru Genji’s first wife) and Lady Rokujo compete for viewing spots during the Aoi Matsuri, illustrating just how splendid the festival was and how much public attention it attracted. Murasaki Shikibu herself had deep connections with Shimogamo Shrine, and a poetry monument within the grounds commemorates this bond.

Like Kamigamo Shrine, the Saiin (Sacred Princess) system was also applied to Shimogamo Shrine, where an unmarried imperial princess served as Saio at the Kamo Shrines. The Saio would purify herself in Tadasu no Mori and played the important role of presiding over the Aoi Matsuri ceremonies. During this era, the shrine buildings were extensively developed, and the magnificent complex including the East and West Main Halls was established. The Shikinen Sengu (periodic shrine rebuilding) every 21 years was also institutionalized during this period, completing a system for passing down both architectural techniques and religious traditions to future generations.

3. Medieval to Early Modern Period: The Age of Warfare and the Decline of Tadasu no Mori

Although Shimogamo Shrine reached its zenith during the Heian period, it faced numerous trials during the turbulence of the medieval era. The Onin War (1467-1477) in particular inflicted devastating damage on Shimogamo Shrine — parts of the shrine buildings were destroyed by fire, and the vast shrine domains were laid waste by the conflict. Tadasu no Mori also shrank significantly through the Warring States period due to military use and reckless logging, with the forest — once said to encompass approximately 1.5 million tsubo — being drastically reduced.

Nevertheless, Shimogamo Shrine repeatedly recovered with the support of the Imperial Court and powerful patrons. The Muromachi Shogunate partially funded the Shikinen Sengu to maintain the shrine buildings. During the Warring States period, Oda Nobunaga guaranteed the shrine domains, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi also supported shrine renovations. In 1594, Hideyoshi ordered a major restoration of the shrine buildings, contributing significantly to the revival of the deteriorated Shimogamo Shrine.

With the onset of the Edo period, under the stable rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Shimogamo Shrine entered another era of prosperity. During the Shikinen Sengu of 1629, with the support of the third Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, the shrine buildings were splendidly rebuilt, laying the foundation for the present National Treasure architecture. Throughout the Edo period, the Shikinen Sengu continued without interruption, and among the common people, the shrine became beloved as “Shimogamo-san,” attracting many worshippers seeking blessings for matchmaking and safe childbirth. The shogunate also took part in the conservation of Tadasu no Mori, issuing orders prohibiting the felling of trees and showing concern for environmental protection.

4. Meiji to Showa: Transformation Through Modernization and Cultural Property Protection

The Meiji Restoration was a major turning point for Shimogamo Shrine. The Shinbutsu Bunri (Separation of Shinto and Buddhism) edict of 1868 led to the removal of Buddhist facilities from the grounds, and the shrine reclaimed its identity as a purely Shinto institution. In 1871, it was designated as a Kanpei Taisha (government shrine of the highest rank) and placed under state administration.

However, Meiji-era modernization posed the greatest crisis for Tadasu no Mori. The early Meiji Jochi-rei (confiscation of temple and shrine lands) stripped Shimogamo Shrine of its vast domains. Furthermore, from the late Meiji through the Taisho era, portions of Tadasu no Mori were felled for development and converted to residential areas and roads. The forest, which once extended from the Kamo River to the Takano River, was reduced to its current approximately 124,000 square meters. Even so, it is remarkable that the remaining forest still maintains an ecosystem close to primeval conditions, with towering deciduous broadleaf trees such as zelkova, hackberry, and aphananthe.

In 1953, the East and West Main Halls were designated as National Treasures, and many shrine buildings came under protection as Important Cultural Properties. In 1983, Tadasu no Mori was designated as a National Historic Site, legally guaranteeing the preservation of the natural environment and historical landscape. During this period, restoration efforts for Tadasu no Mori also began, with the cooperation of citizens and volunteers working to regenerate the lost portions of the forest.

5. Heisei to Reiwa: World Heritage Registration and Shimogamo Shrine Today

In 1994, Shimogamo Shrine was registered as one of the component sites of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.” Along with Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kinkaku-ji Temple, its value as a representative cultural heritage of Kyoto was internationally recognized. Following the World Heritage registration, visitors from overseas increased, and multilingual guidance facilities were developed.

In 2015, the 34th Shikinen Sengu “Shosenguu” ceremony was performed, during which the sacred object was transferred to the newly restored shrine buildings. This Shikinen Sengu reportedly cost approximately 3 billion yen and was made possible through the shrine’s own efforts plus donations from devotees across Japan. The Shikinen Sengu is not merely a building renovation — it is an important opportunity to pass on intangible cultural heritage to the next generation, including the techniques of shrine carpenters, fabric dyeing methods for ceremonial robes, and ritual procedures.

Modern Shimogamo Shrine puts effort into both preserving traditions and embracing new forms of communication. In summer, Tadasu no Mori hosts the “Shimogamo Shrine: Forest of Light Festival,” a digital art event where the ancient forest merges with cutting-edge technology to create fantastical spaces that have garnered much attention. The shrine’s popularity as a matchmaking power spot continues to grow year by year, with particularly notable increases in visitors among young women. With approximately 2 million annual visitors, it ranks among the most popular of Kyoto’s major shrines. The next Shikinen Sengu is scheduled for 2036.

Highlights & Recommended Spots

Here is a curated selection of must-see highlights when visiting Shimogamo Shrine. Experience the unique charm cultivated by 2,600 years of history and abundant nature.

1. Tadasu no Mori — A Sacred Primeval Forest from Ancient Times

Tadasu no Mori, arguably Shimogamo Shrine’s greatest attraction, is a primeval forest spanning approximately 124,000 square meters. There are various theories about the origin of the name “Tadasu,” but the prevailing one suggests it derives from the meaning “to correct falsehood,” as trials by divine judgment (shinmei saiban) were held in this forest since ancient times. The forest is home to approximately 40 species and 4,700 trees, including zelkova, hackberry, aphananthe, and camphor, with some specimens exceeding 600 years in age.

Walking along the approach path through Tadasu no Mori, the first thing you notice is the difference in the air. The temperature is several degrees cooler than outside, the refreshing scent of phytoncides released by the trees fills the air, and the tree canopy overhead creates a green tunnel — all five senses tell you that this is a “sacred ground.” Several streams flow alongside the path, bearing names such as Semi-no-Ogawa, Izumikawa, and Nara-no-Ogawa — these clear streams have been celebrated in poetry since the Man’yoshu and Kokin Wakashu anthologies.

Tadasu no Mori is not only designated as a National Historic Site but is also an ecologically invaluable location. It is rare for a deciduous broadleaf forest of this scale to survive in an urban area, and it serves as a research subject for botanists and ecologists. The best time for a stroll is early morning, when the forest wrapped in morning mist reveals a mystical beauty. During the autumn foliage season, the zelkova and maple trees turn red and gold, transforming the approach path into a blazing tunnel of brocade. Take your time walking the approximately 15-20 minute path while absorbing the breath of this ancient forest.

2. Aioi Shrine — A Power Spot for Romantic Matchmaking

Located just before the tower gate of Shimogamo Shrine, Aioi Shrine is known as one of Kyoto’s premier power spots for romantic matchmaking. The enshrined deity is Kamimusubi-no-Kami, and as the name “musubi” (binding/creating) suggests, the shrine is said to offer blessings for romantic connections and successful matches.

The main highlight of Aioi Shrine is its sacred tree, the “Renri no Sakaki” (Conjoined Sacred Tree). This remarkable tree consists of two trunks that merge into one partway up, and it is revered as a symbol of romantic union. Remarkably, each time this sacred tree withers, a similar conjoined tree is found somewhere within Tadasu no Mori and is newly enshrined. The current Renri no Sakaki is said to be the fourth generation, a phenomenon that inspires a deep sense of nature’s wonder and mystery.

The worship method at Aioi Shrine is somewhat unique. First, you receive an “enmusubi ema” (matchmaking votive tablet, 500 yen) at the amulet office and write your wish. Then, holding the ema, you walk around Aioi Shrine three times — women walk clockwise (right) and men walk counterclockwise (left). After three circuits, you hang the ema on the ema rack, and finally offer a prayer with two bows, two claps, and one bow before the sacred tree. It is said that performing this worship method carefully brings stronger blessings. Lines of visitors seeking romantic fortune can form on weekends, attesting to the shrine’s great popularity.

3. Mitarashi Shrine and Mitarashi Pond — The Sacred Spring Where Mitarashi Dango Was Born

Mitarashi Shrine, also known as Inoue-sha, is a small shrine located on the eastern side of Shimogamo Shrine. The “Mitarashi Pond” (Mitarashi-ike) that springs up before this shrine is believed to bestow blessings of good health when you dip your feet in it on the Doyo no Ushi day (midsummer day of the Ox). Every July, during the Mitarashi Festival, tens of thousands of visitors come to participate in the “foot-dipping purification ritual,” wading knee-deep in the cold water while offering candles. This scene has become a beloved summer tradition in Kyoto.

And it is this very Mitarashi Pond that is the birthplace of mitarashi dango. According to legend, when Emperor Go-Daigo visited Shimogamo Shrine and cleansed his hands in Mitarashi Pond, first one large bubble rose from the water, followed by four smaller bubbles in succession. The mitarashi dango was created to replicate this “one plus four” bubble formation. Another theory holds that the five dango represent the five parts of the human body (head and four limbs), and that they were originally offerings meant to ward off evil.

In front of Shimogamo Shrine’s gate stands the long-established “Kamo Mitarashi Chaya,” where you can savor the traditional mitarashi dango — simple, lightly charred rice dumplings coated in a sweet-savory soy sauce glaze. Of the five dumplings on each skewer, the first one is set slightly apart from the other four, recreating the bubble legend of Mitarashi Pond. Be sure to stop by after your visit and enjoy this flavor with deep ties to Shimogamo Shrine.

4. Kotosho — The Guardian Shrines of the Twelve Zodiac Signs

In front of the main hall of Shimogamo Shrine stand seven small shrines called “Kotosho.” These shrines enshrine seven different divine names of Okuninushi-no-Mikoto, each serving as guardian deities of the twelve zodiac signs. “Eto-mairi” (zodiac pilgrimage), where visitors find and pray at the shrine corresponding to their birth year’s zodiac sign, is a uniquely Shimogamo Shrine experience that has become very popular.

The reason seven shrines cover all twelve zodiac signs is that each shrine guards multiple signs. For example, the shrine enshrining Onamuji-no-Kami serves as the guardian shrine for those born in the Year of the Snake and the Year of the Sheep. Visitors search for the shrine corresponding to their birth year’s zodiac sign, and guide signs are posted to make it easy to find.

It is customary to visit the Kotosho shrines after praying at Shimogamo Shrine’s main hall. While you can visit all seven, it is recommended to first find your own zodiac shrine and pray there thoroughly. During New Year’s, the shrine corresponding to that year’s zodiac sign draws particularly large numbers of visitors praying for good fortune in the coming year. Finding your own personal “guardian shrine” is an experience unique to Shimogamo Shrine.

5. The Yabusame Arena and the Aoi Matsuri — Heian Elegance Preserved Today

Within Tadasu no Mori lies a riding course approximately 500 meters long. This is the stage for the Yabusame (horseback archery) ritual held every year on May 3rd. Yabusame is a martial art in which archers shoot targets from galloping horseback, and the Yabusame at Shimogamo Shrine is positioned as an important preliminary rite before the Aoi Matsuri. The sight of riders in traditional costume striking targets one after another from horses at full gallop is thrilling, drawing large crowds of spectators every year.

The Aoi Matsuri, held on May 15th, is the most historically ancient of Kyoto’s three great festivals. Officially called the “Kamo Festival,” it held such prestige during the Heian period that the word “matsuri” (festival) alone referred specifically to the Aoi Matsuri. During the “Roto no Gi” (road procession), a procession of approximately 500 people makes its way from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Shimogamo Shrine and then to Kamigamo Shrine. Led by the Saio-dai (Sacred Princess) dressed in the formal junihitoe (twelve-layered kimono), participants clad in Heian-period court attire parade through the great avenues of Kyoto. The procession of aristocrats on ox-drawn carts and horses is a scene that seems to have stepped straight out of a historical picture scroll.

The Aoi Matsuri takes its name from the futaba-aoi (two-leafed hollyhock) used to decorate the participants and ox-drawn carts. During the “Shato no Gi” (shrine ceremony) held within the grounds of Shimogamo Shrine, the imperial envoy recites a ritual prayer and court music and dances are offered, solemnly continuing a ritual tradition spanning over 1,400 years. Distinct from the Inari Festival at Fushimi Inari Taisha or the Gion Festival in Gion, the Aoi Matsuri offers a quintessentially Kyoto experience of courtly culture and elegance.

Nearby Attractions

Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine) — The Other Sacred Site of the Kamo Shrines

Located approximately 3 kilometers north of Shimogamo Shrine, upstream along the Kamo River, Kamigamo Shrine is the other World Heritage component of the “Kamo Shrines.” Its official name is Kamo-wakeikazuchi Shrine, enshrining Kamowakeikazuchi-no-Okami, the son of Shimogamo Shrine’s deity Tamayori-hime-no-Mikoto. This means Shimogamo Shrine enshrines the “parent” while Kamigamo Shrine enshrines the “child” — visiting both shrines together allows you to understand the complete mythology of the Kamo clan.

Kamigamo Shrine can be reached in about 15 minutes by City Bus Route 4, or by walking approximately 40 minutes along the Kamo River promenade. It offers many unique highlights distinct from Shimogamo Shrine, including the National Treasure main hall and Gonden, and the sacred conical sand mounds called “Tatesuna.” Tracing the actual route that the Aoi Matsuri procession takes from Shimogamo Shrine to Kamigamo Shrine on foot makes for an evocative experience.

Kyoto Imperial Palace — Imperial History and Elegant Gardens

Located approximately 2 kilometers south of Shimogamo Shrine, about 10 minutes by bus, the Kyoto Imperial Palace served as the imperial residence for approximately 500 years until the Meiji Restoration. Currently managed by the Imperial Household Agency, it is open to the public year-round and free of charge. The buildings, including the Shishinden (Ceremonial Hall), Seiryoden (Emperor’s Residential Hall), and Oike-niwa garden, magnificently convey the elegance of Heian-period court architecture.

Both Shimogamo Shrine and the Kyoto Imperial Palace are places deeply connected to the Imperial Family, and visiting both allows for a deeper understanding of the relationship between the emperor and Shinto in Kyoto. The Aoi Matsuri procession also departs from the Kyoto Imperial Palace, demonstrating the close historical connection between the two. The vast Kyoto Gyoen park surrounding the palace serves as a place of relaxation for residents, offering a different kind of Kyoto nature from that found at Arashiyama.

Demachi Futaba — A Legendary Wagashi Shop with Lines Out the Door

A roughly 10-minute walk south of Shimogamo Shrine, near Demachiyanagi Station, stands “Demachi Futaba,” a long-established Japanese confectionery shop founded in 1899. Their signature “Nadai Mamemochi” (famous bean mochi) — soft rice cake filled with generous amounts of red bean paste and red peas — is a masterpiece whose simple yet refined flavor has made it a perennial favorite as a Kyoto souvenir.

While it is not unusual for lines to form before the shop opens, the turnover is quick so the wait is typically around 15-30 minutes. Walking along the Kamo River from Shimogamo Shrine makes for a pleasant stroll to get there. Since the mamemochi is best eaten on the same day, if purchasing as a souvenir, it is recommended to buy it on the morning of the day you plan to head home. Buses also depart from the Demachiyanagi Station area toward Kennin-ji Temple and other destinations, making it a convenient base for Kyoto sightseeing.

Access Information

By Train

• Keihan Railway: About 12 minutes on foot from Demachiyanagi Station (most recommended)
• From JR Kyoto Station: Take the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station, transfer to Keihan Railway to Demachiyanagi Station (about 30 minutes)
• Hankyu Railway: From Kawaramachi Station, take City Bus Route 4 or 205 for about 15 minutes, get off at “Shimogamo Jinja-mae”

By Bus

• Kyoto City Bus Route 4 or 205, get off at “Shimogamo Jinja-mae”
• Kyoto City Bus Route 1, get off at “Shimogamo Jinja-mae”
• From JR Kyoto Station, City Bus Route 4, about 30 minutes to “Shimogamo Jinja-mae”
• From JR Kyoto Station, City Bus Route 205, about 25 minutes to “Shimogamo Jinja-mae”

By Car

• About 25 minutes from Meishin Expressway Kyoto-Higashi IC
• Shimogamo Shrine West Parking Lot: approximately 150 spaces (200 yen per 30 minutes)
• Parking lots become extremely crowded during the Aoi Matsuri and New Year’s period; public transportation is recommended

Recommended Access Route

The most convenient way to reach Shimogamo Shrine is via Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan Railway. Demachiyanagi Station is the terminal station of the Keihan Main Line, and express trains running directly from Osaka also stop here. From the station, cross the confluence of the Kamo and Takano rivers and enter the approach path through Tadasu no Mori — this walk serves as the perfect prologue to your Shimogamo Shrine visit. The walk along the approach path takes about 12 minutes to reach the tower gate. From JR Kyoto Station, multiple city bus routes are available, with Route 4 or Route 205 taking approximately 25-30 minutes to “Shimogamo Jinja-mae.” If visiting Kamigamo Shrine as well, City Bus Route 4 conveniently connects both shrines.

Summary

Shimogamo Shrine is one of Kyoto’s most ancient shrines with approximately 2,600 years of history, and a World Heritage Site brimming with unique attractions found nowhere else — the primeval Tadasu no Mori forest, the matchmaking Aioi Shrine, the Mitarashi Pond that gave birth to mitarashi dango, and the magnificent Aoi Matsuri and Yabusame rituals. With 53 Important Cultural Properties including the National Treasure East and West Main Halls, the grounds are truly a living museum of Heian-period faith and culture.

Whether as part of a “Kamo Shrine pilgrimage” paired with Kamigamo Shrine, or as a stop on a broader tour of Kyoto’s famous sites such as Nanzen-ji Temple and Ryoan-ji Temple, Shimogamo Shrine is a destination not to be missed. Walking through the dappled sunlight of Tadasu no Mori, feeling the sacred atmosphere that has remained unchanged since ancient times — this is a truly special experience awaiting you at Shimogamo Shrine.

Frequently Asked Questions