From Chion-in Temple and Shoren-in Temple to Heian-jingu Shrine in Okazaki

This course takes you walking north from Yasaka-jinja Shrine in Gion along the foot of Higashiyama, visiting Chion-in Temple and Shoren-in Temple, before heading to Heian-jingu Shrine and the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art in Okazaki.

History and Regional Appeal

Yasaka-jinja Shrine, enshrined at the eastern end of Shijo-dori Street, is affectionately called "Gion-san" and has long been cherished by the people of Kyoto. Passing through its grounds and heading north from Maruyama Park brings you into a calm area home to Chion-in Temple, the head temple of the Jodo sect, and Shoren-in Temple, a monzeki temple (temple headed by imperial or noble priests) of the Tendai sect. Further north lies Okazaki, a cultural zone dotted with a zoo, art museums, a library, and Heian-jingu Shrine. Heian-jingu Shrine was planned and founded as the culmination of citizen-led restoration efforts in Kyoto, which had declined due to the warfare at the end of the Edo period and the Transfer of the Capital to Tokyo during the Meiji era. In a single day, you can walk and explore ancient shrines and temples alongside the shrine and museum of Okazaki from the Meiji era onward.

Key Highlights

• ​Yasaka-jinja Shrine​​: The current main hall was built in 1654 (Joo 3). Featuring a unique architectural style known as "Gion-zukuri," where the main sanctuary (honden) and the hall of worship (haiden) are covered by a single roof, it is designated as a National Treasure. The West Gate (Nishi-romon) facing Shijo-dori Street is the oldest building within the grounds.
• ​Chion-in Temple​​: The head temple of the Jodo sect, standing on the site where priest Honen propagated the teachings of the Nembutsu and passed away. The Sanmon Gate, built in 1621 (Genna 7), stands 24 meters high and 50 meters wide, making it one of the largest wooden gates in Japan; it is designated as a National Treasure along with the Miei-do Hall. The temple also carries seven wonders, such as the "nightingale floor" (uguisubari), which makes sounds resembling a bush warbler's chirp when walked upon.
• ​Shoren-in Temple​​: One of the Gokashitsu Monzeki of the Tendai sect. Until the Meiji era, its head priests were almost exclusively members of the imperial family or sons of the five regent houses (Gosekke). Highlights include the pond-strolling garden said to have been designed by Soami and the vividly colored lotus sliding door paintings (fusuma-e) in the Kacho-den Hall.
• ​Heian-jingu Shrine​​: Founded in 1895 (Meiji 28) with Emperor Kanmu, who founded Heian-kyo, as its enshrined deity. The shrine buildings reproduce the Chodoin, the main administration building of ancient Heian-kyo, at about five-eighths scale; six structures, including the Daigokuden Hall and Otenmon Gate, are designated as Important Cultural Properties. The Shin'en Garden surrounding the shrine buildings is a pond-strolling garden designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
• ​Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art​​: Opened in 1933, it is, according to the museum, the oldest existing public art museum building in Japan. With its renewal in 2020, the entrance was moved from the first-floor west entrance of the main building to its basement, creating a glass-enclosed space known as the "Glass Ribbon" between the front plaza and the main building.

Recommended Route and Required Time

The estimated time required is around 5 hours. Begin at Yasaka-jinja Shrine, about a 5-minute walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station. Walk northeast for about 530 meters to Chion-in Temple, and Shoren-in Temple is immediately adjacent to the north. Walking north along Jingu-michi Street, where a large camphor tree stands in front of the gate of Shoren-in Temple, for about 1 kilometer will bring you to Heian-jingu Shrine in Okazaki. After visiting the shrine, walk back south about 370 meters to the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art facing Jingu-michi Street. On the way back, it is about an 8-minute walk to Higashiyama Station on the Tozai Subway Line. In spring, the weeping red cherries in the South Garden of Heian-jingu Shrine and the cherry blossoms in the Hojo Garden of Chion-in Temple are in full bloom, and in May, Japanese irises (kakitsubata) adorn the pond in the Middle Garden of Heian-jingu Shrine.

Experience Summary

From the shrine of "Gion-san" to the grand temple associated with priest Honen, the monzeki temple presided over by members of the imperial family and noble houses, and on to the shrine and art museum born in Meiji-era Okazaki. As you walk north along the foot of Higashiyama, take a day to feel the layers of Kyoto's history.