Fortunately, I arrived at this place at night, but unfortunately, I couldn't find many great spots.
Nevertheless, it was still captivating. The lights at each temple were mesmerizing.
However, many food stalls and souvenir shops were already closed. There were toilets, but perhaps because it was already night, they were starting to get dirty and smelly, with trash and used tissues scattered around the women's toilet.
For those who want to visit, make sure to come before 5 pm to get good spots for taking pictures.
Have fun 🎇
It was extremely busy around 5 pm, but the lighting was fantastic. I missed the goshuin (which was the sole reason for walking out of our way to this shrine… but I was able to buy a paper variation which is also beautiful! Also the history and meaning of this shrine, I’m so happy I was able to see and experience this.
March 2025, on a Saturday, it was surprisingly manageable, with little crowd. Easy to stroll and find good places for photos. Interesting food stalls on the way to the shrine. Many people wore rental kimono to take photos, it's fun to watch. I spotted some lovely plum blossoms, they smell so sweet too! This shrine is relatively easy to get to, also very close to Gion districts.
Beautiful temple, been going at noon and at night. If you go at night , You will see those beautiful lit lanterns.
No entry fee to see the lantern, and you can get some omikuji for 100 yen.
I visited this temple during the New Year holiday and was so impressed by its charm and activities. As you may know, Kyoto is a very cultural city, and this temple beautifully reflects that with its tradition of burning ropes and hosting a temple fair during the New Year period.
Plus, you’ll also see many amulets being sold, as people like to buy them for good luck in the New Year.
This temple is a must-visit! I believe its charm remains even when there are no special activities happening.
