What other travelers are saying about Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. It's also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking through the forest approach feels refreshing. The shrine itself is well maintained and not as crowded as other famous spots in Kyoto which made the visit feel more relaxed.
Very delicate and elegant place. As walking along the alley that both sides full of trees and greens towards the 神社, the mind and eyes are filled with the beauty of the architecture and the serenity of the place .
March 2023
I love this shrine , they sell really feminine lucky amulets
It’s also less crowded here
Definitely worth visiting
Accessible by local city buses in Kyoto
This review comes a bit late since I visited this beautiful shrine in early November 2024, but it’s been an unforgettable trip and truly a rather hidden gem for Kyoto shrines.
Shimogamo is one of the two oldest and most important shrines in Kyoto, dating back further than the settlement of Kyoto as Ancient Japan’s capital. Its importance throughout history is felt as you walk through the grounds that are much more spacious than other temples and shrines, the walk through the garden was especially serene - and the rain made it all feel even more connected with nature, as is the spirit of Shintoism. Even more poignant since the shrine was settled here for the Kamo river.
There are also several marked archeological sites and protected ancient trees to remind you of the age of this sacred place.
Yet despite its historical significance, it (luckily) does not receive the level of tourist attention which other more widely known temples/shrines do, so it was a very peaceful experience. There was an ongoing ceremony for an event hence the group of people in my photos, but otherwise quite empty. The gift shop was quite popular since this shrine sells a famous season edition omamori - a special momento capturing the season you visited. Entry to the grounds and surrounding garden is also free but there is a fee to enter the prayer halls, which I didn’t do.
They also have the water omikuji in Japanese only (I got great fortune yay 🙏)
I will definitely visit again and also its connected Kamigamo shrine further upriver.
Visited the shrine because of Uchoten Kazoku anime. The shrine is located close to nature, and it is located near Tadasu no Mori. Not many foreign tourists there, so if you want to take a break from a place that is too 'touristy' you can visit Shimogamo Shrine. Many locals take their wedding shoot there also.
They also sell some Uchouten Kazoku anime merchandise in the shops, as the setting for tanuki family's home is this Shrine. I recommend visiting during autumn to see the momiji.
Shimogamo Shrine, a World Heritage site dating back to the 6th century and predating Kyoto's establishment as the nation's capital, is revered alongside Kamigamo-jinja Shrine for protecting Kyoto from evil.
The history of Shimogamo Shrine, with artifacts unearthed from its Tadasu-no-mori forest dating back to the Yayoi period (4 B.C. ? 3 A.D.), spans over two thousand years.
Shimogamo Shrine, with its vermilion buildings, curved bridges, and unique shrines like Mitarashi-sha and Koto Zodiac Shrines, is enveloped by the mystical Tadasu no Mori, adding to its spiritual allure.
Shimogamo Shrine is celebrated for the Aoi Matsuri, among Kyoto's top three annual festivals, alongside hosting various other events like the New Year's Kemari Game and the Mitarashi Festival for purification.
Shimogamo Shrine, deeply rooted in the Yayoi period and intertwined with the Kamo clan, quickly rose to prominence with the imperial capital's move to Kyoto, becoming a critical spiritual and ceremonial site.
