Two World Heritage Kamo Shrines: Kamigamo-jinja Shrine and Shimogamo-jinja Shrine

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine sits upstream and Shimogamo-jinja Shrine sits downstream along the Kamo River. Both Kamo shrines are registered as World Cultural Heritage sites and are well known for the Aoi Matsuri Festival held every year on May 15. This course takes you to worship at Kamigamo-jinja Shrine, walk through the Kamigamo Shake-machi lined with traditional residences of Shinto priests, and then take a bus toward Shimogamo-jinja Shrine.

History and Local Charm

The official name of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is Kamo Wakeikazuchi-jinja Shrine, and Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is Kamo Mioya-jinja Shrine. The name Shimogamo-jinja comes from the fact that it is enshrined downstream, in contrast to Kamigamo-jinja Shrine located upstream along the Kamo River.

The two shrines are also linked by the deities they enshrine. Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami, the deity of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine, is said to have descended in mythological times upon Mount Koyama, located approximately 2 kilometers north-northwest of the main sanctuary. Shimogamo-jinja Shrine enshrines his mother, Tamayori-hime no Mikoto, and his grandfather, Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto, who is considered the deity that opened ancient Kyoto. Following the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo, Kamigamo-jinja Shrine received imperial visits from successive emperors as a guardian deity of the capital, and Shimogamo-jinja Shrine also enjoyed profound veneration from the imperial court and family as a shrine for national protection.

In 1994 (Heisei 6), both shrines were designated as World Cultural Heritage sites. The Kamo Matsuri festival held annually on May 15 is popularly known as the Aoi Matsuri Festival and is counted among Kyoto's three major festivals.

Key Highlights

• ​Kamigamo-jinja Shrine​​: Facing you directly after entering through the Ni-no-Torii gate stands a pair of tatezuna (sand cones) shaped after Mount Koyama. Rebuilt in 1863 (Bunkyu 3), the Honden (main sanctuary) and Gonden (provisional sanctuary) are designated National Treasures. These identical hall structures stand side by side east and west, and are considered the archetype of the nagare-zukuri style that accounts for roughly 60% of shrines nationwide. On a special guided visit led by a Shinto priest into divine precincts normally closed to the public, visitors can stand directly in front of the Honden and Gonden.
• ​Kamigamo Shake-machi​​: Spreading east of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine, this is a residential district for priests who served the shrine. The Nara-no-Ogawa Stream flowing through the shrine grounds changes its name to the Myojin River once outside and flows eastward; earthen and stone bridges crossing the stream, earthen walls, gates, and the greenery of gardens peeking over the walls create a distinct shake-machi atmosphere. In 1988 (Showa 63), it was designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
• ​Shimogamo-jinja Shrine​​: Enshrined where the Kamo and Takano rivers merge, its two Honden sanctuaries are designated National Treasures, and 53 shrine buildings are Important Cultural Properties. Spreading to the south of the grounds is Tadasu-no-Mori Forest, a 124,000-square-meter forest through which pristine streams flow, retaining the look of an ancient wilderness. The Mitarashi-ike Pond, where the Misogi purification ritual of the Saiodai is held for the Aoi Matsuri Festival, is said to be the origin of mitarashi dango.

Recommended Route and Required Time

The estimated time required is about 5 hours, including sightseeing and visits. Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is just steps away from the "Kamigamo-jinja-mae" city bus stop. After viewing the tatezuna sand cones, the Honden, and the Kataoka-sha shrine near the Romon gate, walk east toward Kamigamo Shake-machi. The Shake-machi district is roughly 450 meters southeast of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine. Walking along the Myojin River, you will also see Fujiki-jinja Shrine, an auxiliary shrine located outside the grounds of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine. Because the preservation district also protects the living residential environment, please walk quietly in front of the residences. In mid-May, wild kakitsubata (rabbit-ear irises), designated a national Natural Monument, bloom at Ota-jinja Shrine, about 800 meters east of Kamigamo-jinja Shrine.

Return to "Kamigamo-jinja-mae" about 2 minutes on foot from the Shake-machi, and take City Bus Route 4 to "Shimogamo-jinja-mae". Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is located nearly 3 kilometers south-southeast in a straight line from the Shake-machi. After worshipping at the Honden and Koto-sha shrines, head south through Tadasu-no-Mori Forest to Kawai-jinja Shrine, associated with Kamo no Chomei. It is about a 12-minute walk from Shimogamo-jinja Shrine to Demachiyanagi Station on the Keihan line.

Summary of the Experience

This is a one-day journey following the Kamo River downstream: from Kamigamo-jinja Shrine looking up toward Mount Koyama, through the Shake-machi where the Nara-no-Ogawa becomes the Myojin River, to Shimogamo-jinja Shrine where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet. Be sure to visit both of these Kamo shrines, connected by their enshrined deities as well as the Aoi Matsuri Festival, one after the other.