From Shimogamo-jinja Shrine to Shokoku-ji Temple and Kyoto Imperial Palace

On the north side of Kyoto, a shrine older than Heian-kyo, a Zen temple founded by a Muromachi shogunate shogun, and the imperial residence that served the emperors for roughly 500 years are gathered within walking distance of each other. This walking course begins at Shimogamo-jinja Shrine in Tadasu-no-Mori Forest, passes through Shokoku-ji Temple, and heads south toward Kyoto Gyoen National Garden and Kyoto Imperial Palace.

History and Regional Charm

Although the exact origins of Shimogamo-jinja Shrine are unknown, it is an ancient shrine with records stating that the sacred fence (mizugaki) of the shrine was repaired in 90 BCE, the seventh year of Emperor Sujin's reign. After the capital was relocated to Heian-kyo, it received deep devotion from the imperial family and the court as a shrine for national protection.

In the Muromachi period, the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu founded Shokoku-ji Temple in 1382 (Eitoku 2). It was named after Yoshimitsu's position as Minister of the Left, also known as "Shokoku." The temple complex was completed in 1392, the same year the Northern and Southern Courts were reunited and the current location of Kyoto Imperial Palace became the official imperial residence. From then until 1869 (Meiji 2), the palace served as the home of successive emperors. The stone Tenkai-bashi Bridge over the temple's hojo-chi pond is said to have been named because it served as the boundary between the temple and the palace, reflecting the close proximity of the temple and the imperial grounds even today.

During the Edo period, more than 140 residences of princely families and court nobles lined the area surrounding the palace. After the Emperor moved to Tokyo, the court nobles' quarter fell into decline, but it was restored by order of Emperor Meiji and is now Kyoto Gyoen National Garden, open for anyone to walk freely.

Major Highlights

• ​Shimogamo-jinja Shrine​​: Officially named Kamo Mioya-jinja Shrine, it is enshrined where the Kamo River and Takano River meet. Spreading south of the grounds is Tadasu-no-Mori Forest, covering an area of 124,000 square meters. Passing through this forest where clear streams flow, the East Main Hall and West Main Hall, both designated National Treasures, stand side by side. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1994.
• ​Shokoku-ji Temple​​: The head temple of the Rinzai Sect Shokoku-ji branch; Kinkaku-ji Temple and Ginkaku-ji Temple are its sangai tatchu (sub-temples located outside the temple precincts). Completed in 1605 (Keicho 10) through a donation from Toyotomi Hideyori, the Hatto (Dharma Hall) is the oldest surviving Hatto architecture in Japan. On its ceiling is the Banryu-zu (coiling dragon painting) drawn by Kano Mitsunobu; when you clap your hands, the sound resonates like a dragon's cry, earning it the name "Crying Dragon" (Naki-ryu).
• ​Kyoto Gyoen National Garden​​: A park of approximately 65 hectares surrounding Kyoto Imperial Palace and Kyoto Sento Imperial Palace. The Kan'in-no-miya Residence Site and Shusui-tei Teahouse convey the lifestyle of the court nobles, while Hamaguri-gomon Gate, the site of the Kinmon Incident at the end of the Edo period, still retains bullet marks.
• ​Kyoto Imperial Palace​​: Many of the buildings constructed in 1855 (Ansei 2) remain today. Highlights include Shishinden Hall, where important ceremonies such as enthronements have taken place; Seiryoden Hall, where the Emperor usually resided; and Kogosho, where the "Kogosho Conference" decided to order Tokugawa Yoshinobu to forfeit his official titles and lands. At Shishinden Hall, large-scale maintenance work spanning approximately 9 years has begun from October 2026 (Reiwa 8). This work involves erecting a temporary protective roof (suyane) over the hall so that its roof can be re-covered; the eighteen steps in the front will also be temporarily removed and returned to their original position after the construction is completed.

Recommended Route and Duration

The recommended time is approximately 5 hours, including temple and shrine visits. Shimogamo-jinja Shrine is about a 12-minute walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station. Walking through the south Ichino-torii gate past Kawai-jinja Shrine and Tadasu-no-Mori Forest, and entering the main sanctuary through the north Minamiguchi-torii gate allows you to experience the transition from the forest to the shrine buildings.

From Shimogamo-jinja Shrine to Shokoku-ji Temple, it is about 1 kilometer in a straight line to the west-southwest and can be reached on foot. The interiors of the Hatto and Hojo of Shokoku-ji Temple are open to the public during special viewings in spring and autumn. Kyoto Imperial Palace is about 800 meters south of Shokoku-ji Temple. The palace is open to the public year-round without prior reservation, and the entrance is the Seisho-mon Gate. Closed days and reception hours are subject to change, so it is recommended to check the Imperial Household Agency's visiting calendar before heading out.

After touring the palace, walk south through the garden to visit the Kan'in-no-miya Residence Site and Shusui-tei Teahouse. From there, it is about a 5-minute walk to Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line.

Experience Summary

Walking south from an ancient shrine surrounded by a forest to a Zen temple founded by a shogun, and on to the palace where the emperors lived, the historical periods of Kyoto as the capital overlap along a continuous path. Take a full day to trace the path between the tranquility of Tadasu-no-Mori Forest and the expansive greenery of the national garden.