Heian Shrine

This is a absolute must see Temple in Kyoto. The buildings of the Heian Shrine are a little worn down, however that adds to the charm of this place and also shows just how old these magnificent buildings really are. The best part of this Shrine are the massively sprawling gardens within. 30,000 square meters of space showcase traditional Japanese style gardens that are absolutely breathtaking. It costs ¥600 per adult to enter the garden area, this is an absolutely amazing deal and something that should not be passed up. While the Shrine may be a little out of the way in terms of getting to it by a train, it is a pleasant walk from the nearest station and there are many shops along the way. Pictures alone do not do this Shrine justice, you must visit this beautiful monument and garden.

This is one of the big impressive shrines in Kyoto with its signature red torri as well as other buildings painted in bright red too. Nice view from within the shrine towards the mountains. Big wide garden can be visited against a fee and worth it especially in spring and autumn. Good starting point to walk to Gion. Early morning not yet very crowded.

This temple is nestled within a serene park that invites visitors for a stroll at the cost of 600 yen. The park showcases a beautiful Japanese-style design, offering a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere. A charming small lake hosts various fish, including carp, and for a small fee of 50 yen, visitors can enjoy feeding them. Adorning a bridge over the lake are paper ornaments holding the hopes and prayers of those who visit the temple.

One can also acquire a unique souvenir—a retro, old-fashioned machine allows you to carve names or inscribe messages, be it your own name, your partner's, or anything else, adding an extra nostalgic touch to the experience. They also so handwritten goushin, so make sure to grab one.

Heian Shrine is one of the most colorful Shrines I have visited in Kyoto. There are lots of vendors selling all sorts of stuff in front of the corridor, not sure if it's a weekend thing only.

There are also a few gardens which are much bigger places to explore, but you have to pay a small fee separately (around 600 Yen)to enter. In my opinion l, it is well worth the money.

A popular shrine loved by the locals with spacious front. Entrance to the garden will require entrance fee. Too bad didn't give it a try due to closing time is too near. Very close to the yasaka shrine and Zion district. Can couple together for a day trip.

Beautifully garden and for 600 yen is totally worth it.

You have to enter through the left side of the temple and walk all the way across the garden.

You can buy fish food for 50 yen on the bridge and feed the very large fishes.

But the view is breathtaking.

The dominating landmark in the area is the enormous red Tori gate just before the shrine. It is obscenely big and beautiful to look at from different angles. It shocked me in the way only super famous monuments like the leaning tower of Pisa have.

The shrine itself is historically, culturally, and religiously important. It was built in the late 19th century during the Meiji era , though it commemorates the 1100th year of Kyoto's founding , and enshrines both the first and last Kyoto-based emperors: Emperor Kammu (737-806) and Emperor Komei (1831-1867).

A temple with a park around it. You can walk around the calming park for 600 yen. The park is designed in the Japanese style. It is very relaxing and calming. There is a small lake with carps and other fish in it. You can feed the fishes by paying 50 yen for the fish food. There is a bridge across the small lake with paper ornaments containing hope and pray of people visiting the temple.

You can get the unique souvenir where you carve your name, your spouse or gf/bf or you can write anything. The machine looks retro and old so it gives an added bonus point.

Heian-jingū Shrine in Kyoto is a captivating blend of history and serenity. The sprawling vermilion torii gate marks the entrance to a realm where time seems to stand still. The architecture, a replica of the original Imperial Palace, is awe-inspiring, reflecting the Heian period's grandeur. Strolling through the vast gardens, each step unveils meticulous landscaping and tranquil ponds that evoke a profound sense of peace.

The shrine's iconic main gate, Ōtenmon, commands attention with its intricate details, while the main hall, Daigokuden, is a testament to architectural splendor. The vibrant autumn foliage transforms the surroundings into a kaleidoscope of colors, adding a poetic touch to the already enchanting ambiance.

Heian-jingū isn't just a visual feast; it's a spiritual sanctuary. Visitors can partake in ritual activities, fostering a deep connection to the Shinto traditions. The tranquility within the shrine offers respite from the bustling city outside, making it a haven for contemplation and introspection.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or seeker of spiritual solace, Heian-jingū Shrine beckons with open arms. It's a place where the essence of Kyoto's rich cultural tapestry unfolds, leaving an indelible imprint on every visitor. 🍃🏰 #HeianJingu #KyotoExperience

Very impressive and solemn Shinto Shrine.

Walking the gardens was great and there was even a wedding being held there.

Stunning. Maybe not your typical Shrine but welk worth the visit. I believe the garden is amazing in spring 🍒🌳

This shrine was amazing. It is absolutely massive and is connected to some amazing gardens that you can explore.
There is an abundance of history for this shrine, which I suggest you look up to when visiting the shrine.
There was no fee.

This shrine is absolutely stunning. Admission is open and doesn't require any fees. Be sure not to miss the colossal Torii gate located alongside the Okazaki canal near the temple.

The garden here is a real highlight - well worth the low 600 yen entrance fee.

I love this place so much! Lovely garden of cherry blossoms and the peaceful lake and ponds is amazingly beautiful, this place is underrated. We almost didn’t visit this place due to other popular attractions, but now I am so glad we didn’t miss it. I told my husband that I enjoyed this the most out of all the temples and shrines we visited. Because it is so peaceful and enjoyable. Away from all the tour groups and crowds

Massive Shrine and courtyard. A few massive steps to enter and second small set halfway to shrine, and third set to enter shrine. otherwise flat but not very wheelchair accessible. Free to enter. No photos or videos allowed in the actual shrine. Security present to enforce rules. 500¥ for stamp, 300¥ for separate sheet of paper if your book is too small. No English speakers. Great area to walk around, so many shrines, temples, gardens and museums to visit.

This shrine was wide open. It rained this day, a little drizzle but was a very fast visit. The statues were nice and the shrine itself was beautiful.

Super cool area to explore. It's free to enter and look around. I do recommend going into the garden area and looking around there, too. It's less crowded due to having to pay around 500-600¥ to enter, so it's very peaceful. The garden area also has the coolest bridge, which is a great spot for pictures, and you can feed the turtules and fish there, too.

Overall, this is a place you have to see in Kyoto.

I went there for the light show in Dec and it was stunning. They made use of the traditional building and Japanese garden and combined it with beautiful light effects. The number of visitors were not a lot which I had a very quiet and peaceful time during my visit.

Highly recommended if they arrange the event again. Even without the event, it will be a nice place to spend an hour or two to look at the nicely designed garden.

Heian Shrine (平安神宮, Heian Jingū) has a relatively short history, dating back just over a hundred years to 1895. The shrine was built on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto and is dedicated to the spirits of the first and last emperors who reigned from the city, Emperor Kammu (737-806) and Emperor Komei (1831-1867). Heian is the former name of Kyoto.

A giant torii gate marks the approach to the shrine, around which there are a couple of museums. The actual shrine grounds themselves are very spacious with a wide open court at the center. The shrine's main buildings are a partial replica of the original Imperial Palace from the Heian Period, built on a somewhat smaller scale than the original.
Behind the main buildings there is an attractive, paid garden with a variety of plants, ponds and buildings. The garden's most striking feature are its many weeping cherry trees, which bloom a few days later than most other cherry trees, making the garden one of the best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto around the tail end of the season, which is usually around mid April.

Occasionally, the shrine's court is used for special events. For instance, the shrine serves as a site of the Jidai Festival each year on October 22, the anniversary of the foundation of Kyoto. The festival's main event is a parade of people in costumes from different periods of Japanese history that leads from the Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Shrine.