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Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto: Gion Festival, Access, and Food
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This visitor guide to Kyoto's Yasaka Shrine highlights why it is a must-visit in Gion, opening hours, access from Kyoto Station, and food to enjoy nearby.
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
Yasaka Shrine: Home to the Gion Festival and a Must-Visit in Kyoto
Yasaka Shrine, the spiritual heart of Kyoto's vibrant historical district, has long been central to the Higashiyama and Gion areas. Known for its tranquil atmosphere at any time, the shrine is a popular place for Kyoto’s geiko and maiko to offer their respects to Shinto deities.
With over 1300 years of history, Yasaka Shrine is particularly famous for the Gion Matsuri, a month-long festival in July that culminates in a procession of elaborate floats through Kyoto's historic streets.
Opening Hours: Yasaka Shrine Can Be Accessed at Night
As a Shinto place of worship, Yasaka Shrine's grounds are open to the public around the clock, offering a serene sanctuary from the bustling Gion district, even at night.
Please be respectful when walking through the shrine to ensure this sacred space is treated with reverence and sincerity.
Admission Fee
Visiting Yasaka Shrine is free. However, you have the option to support the shrine by buying an omamori talisman charm or acquiring its goshuin stamp.
Access from Kyoto Station
To get to Yasaka Shrine from Kyoto Station, take the Kyoto City Bus number 206, which takes you to the Gion bus stop in about 20 minutes for 230 yen.
Another option is to take the JR Nara Line to Tofukuji Station, then transfer to the Keihan Line and get off at Gion-Shijo Station, which is a short 5-minute walk to Yasaka Shrine.
Yasaka Shrine and Gion Matsuri, Kyoto's Greatest Festival
Picture courtesy of Klook © Kyoto City Tourism Association
Kyoto's most iconic summer festival, the Gion Matsuri, takes place annually throughout July, with roots stretching back over a thousand years to 869 CE.
Originally a purification ritual to ward off evil spirits during a major epidemic, the festival has transformed into a month-long celebration featuring magnificent processions of elaborately decorated floats called yamaboko.
The key events are the Saki Matsuri on July 17 and the Ato Matsuri on July 24, when these floats parade through downtown Kyoto, accompanied by traditional music and lively festivities.
As a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Gion Matsuri provides a unique combination of historical importance and cultural spectacle, making it an essential experience for visitors to Japan.
Architectural Highlights of Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine main hall. Photo by Pixta
Yasaka Shrine is dedicated to the deity couple Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto and is believed to bring blessings in marriage and relationships. Many visitors come to pray for good luck in love and connections.
Yasaka Shrine's main hall, the Honden, is notable for its vibrant vermilion color and graceful curved roof, a hallmark of classic Shinto architecture.
Yasaka Shrine Kagura stage. Photo by Pixta
In front of it, the distinctive Kagura stage, adorned with hundreds of lanterns illuminated at night, hosts traditional dance performances.
Utsukushi-Gozen Shrine. Photo by Pixta
Throughout the grounds, smaller, meticulously crafted sub-shrines add to the shrine's rich and layered atmosphere. These include the Utsukushi-Gozen Shrine, dedicated to the deity of beauty and wellness.
Hamono Shrine
Or the Hamono Shrine, dedicated to the deity of knives and cutlery. Japanese worshippers pray to this deity, hoping for guidance and assistance in shaping their future.
Yasaka Shrine main gate. Photo by Pixta
The impressive two-storied Romon Gate at the entrance, with its bold colors and sweeping lines, warmly welcomes visitors.
These features combine to create a beautiful fusion of spiritual tradition and artistic skill, making Yasaka Shrine a memorable destination.
Visit on the Same Day with Kiyomizudera: Recommended Itinerary
Sannenzaka Street in Kyoto. Photo by Pixta
Begin your morning at Yasaka Shrine to admire its vibrant vermilion gate and explore the serene grounds before they get busy.
Next, wander through the historic Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets, ideal for enjoying matcha soft serve or a grilled rice cracker while photographing the traditional machiya townhouses. For lunch, consider Okutan Kiyomizu, a local favorite renowned for its tranquil garden and yudofu (tofu hot pot).
After lunch, walk uphill to Kiyomizudera Temple and take in the panoramic views of Kyoto from its iconic wooden stage. Be sure to visit Jishu Shrine behind the main hall if you're interested in local love fortune traditions.
As you descend, stop at the Koyasu Pagoda viewpoint for a unique photo opportunity of Kiyomizudera.
Conclude your day with a sweet treat from a wagashi shop on Chawan-zaka, the teahouse-lined street leading back down.
Food to Try Near Yasaka Shrine
KISSHOKARYO KYOTO: A Cafe Offering Japanese Desserts
KISSHOKARYO is a cafe specializing in sweets made from roasted soybean powder (kinako), offering a delightful place to relax and savor a diverse menu of desserts featuring this ingredient.
The powder's rich, nutty aroma complements traditional Japanese flavors beautifully, and KISSHOKARYO meticulously sources and roasts their soybeans to ensure they shine in every sweet treat.
KISSHOKARYO KYOTO
Location: Map
Hours: 11:00 - 18:00
Website: https://kisshokaryo.jp/shop/gion/
Tendon Restaurant Loosen Up! - Hefty Tempura Rice Bowl Dishes
A classic Japanese dish, freshly made tempura served over a steaming bowl of rice is a must-try. Loosen Up! offers an impressive variety with over 15 tempura options, including a unique eel tempura.
With most dishes priced around 1,000 yen or slightly more, it's an excellent and affordable choice for lunch or dinner when visiting Yasaka Shrine.
Tendon Restaurant Loosen Up!
Location: Map
Hours: Lunch 12:00 - 15:30, Dinner 17:30 - 20:00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/loosen0480
Tousuiro Gion: Refined Yuba Cuisine
Tousuiro is a Kyoto tofu kaiseki restaurant that showcases the elegance and versatility of tofu through seasonal dishes. Yuba refers to tofu skin, a thin layer of tofu that is rolled and served fried and simmered with vegetables and other ingredients.
Its Kiyamachi branch boasts a riverside terrace in summer, while the Gion location provides a tranquil setting in a 130-year-old machiya near Yasaka Shrine.
Signature dishes like freshly made oboro tofu and yuba are prepared with meticulous care, making it a popular choice for traditional dining.
Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available, catering to a wide range of travelers.
Tousuiro Gion
Location: Map
Hours: Lunch 11:30 - 14:00, Dinner 17:00 - 21:00
Website: https://tousuiro.com/
ICHiMARU5 Honten: Japanese Sweets and Refreshments
Situated along the route to Kiyomizu-dera Temple, ICHiMARU5 is a charming sweets shop offering a delightful selection of skewered treats, including mitarashi and black sesame dango, as well as seasonal parfaits.
Its minimalist white interior and convenient takeaway options make it a perfect stop for a quick snack or a photogenic treat during your sightseeing. With budget-friendly prices (under 1,000 yen) and a prime location, it's a popular choice for both locals and tourists craving a sweet break in Kyoto.
ICHiMARU5 Honten
Location: Map
Hours: 10:30 - 18:30
Website: https://www.instagram.com/ichimaru5_kyoto/
Visit Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine is one of Japan's most famous shrines. Known for its beautiful gates, rich history, and nearby attractions, it is a must-visit destination that will delight your senses and inspire your curiosity.
The Gion district, where Yasaka Shrine is located, is famous for Kyoto's geisha culture. Consider participating in an activity that offers the opportunity to watch a dance performance by a geiko or maiko.
Read also
Nanzenji Temple and Kiyomizudera Temple are also nearby, so I recommend visiting them alongside Yasaka Shrine during your trip to Kyoto.
Yasaka Shrine
Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Higashiyama ward, Gionmachi North 625
Hotels near Yasaka Shrine
Read also
Main image by Pixta
Written by
Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.
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