I really enjoyed our visit here. You can freely walk around the area and there is the possibility of paying a fee to visit the inside of one of the shrines but we did not do it.
The outdoor area was beautiful enough with vibrant orange colors and was very different from other shrines we have seen so far.
Make sure not to miss a lovely stair with Torii which can be found on the left end side of the entrance lawn facing the exit.
I stumbled upon Kamigamo while exploring the area, and I'm so glad I did. From the moment I walked through the gates, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. The shrine's tranquil atmosphere is palpable - it's like the world slows down and all that's left is the gentle rustling of leaves and the soft chirping of birds.
what really drew me in was the sense of peace that permeates every inch of the grounds. I spent hours wandering the paths, taking in the vibrant flowers and lush greenery.
What struck me most, though, was the way the shrine seems to quiet the mind. I felt my worries and cares melting away with each passing moment, replaced by a deep sense of calm and clarity.
If you're looking for a place to unwind, reflect, or simply escape the chaos of everyday life.
I visit Kamigamo Shrine every time I am in Kyoto. It has a special atmosphere and is less crowded with tourists. I recommend walking along the river back to the city center after visiting the shrine. It takes about an hour to return to Shijō-Kawaramachi.
We didn’t have enough time to do this shrine justice and will definitely return the next time we are in the area, but what we did see was quite impressive. The grounds are quite extensive and I would think you would need a couple hours to enjoy what this shrine has to offer. We loved the beautifully thatched rooves and general atmosphere.
One of the most memorable shire we visited during our 12 days trip.
Kamigamo, which dated back over 1300 years ago, is a unesco world heritage site that many tourists overlook.
Throughout its rich history, it was mentioned in Genji Monotagari (arguebly the world oldest literature work dated back from 11th century) and a place that holds Aoi matsuri one of the most important festival in kyoto together with Shimogamo shrine.
There is a beautiful stream (especially in autumn) run along the shire, and you can try feeding the sacred white horse that serves as god messenger. There are many unique features within the shire ground, such as penguin stone at the water basin and cone shape stone at Hosodono hall waiting for you to explore. And like most shire in Japan, it is free to enter.
The handcraft market is being held every 4th Sunday of the month. I also recommend to visit Shimogamo and Kamo River Delta along with Kamigamo.
