Yasaka-Jinja

Lonely Planet review

This colourful and spacious shrine is down the hill from Maruyama-kōen. It's considered the guardian shrine of Gion. The present buildings, with the exception of the older, two-storey west gate, date from 1654. The granite torii on the south side was erected in 1666 and stands 9.5m high, making it one of the tallest in Japan. The roof of the main shrine is covered with cypress shingles. Among the treasures here are a pair of carved wooden koma-inu attributed to the renowned sculptor Unkei.

This shrine is particularly popular as a spot for hatsu-mōde (the first shrine visit of the new year). If you don't mind a stampede, come here around midnight on New Year's Eve or any of the following days. Surviving the crush is proof that you're blessed by the gods!

Yasaka-jinja sponsors Kyoto's biggest festival, Gion Matsuri.