Kyoto Attractions｜The Birthplace of the Gion Festival in Kyoto, Japan—Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto is the head shrine of over 3,000 Yasaka Shrines across Japan. Located at the easternmost part of Gion in Kyoto, it is also known as Gion Shrine. It is a must-visit spot when traveling to Kyoto and can be included in a one-day tour along with Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Shijo Kawaramachi. Transportation Guide: The most convenient route is to take Kyoto City Bus No. 100 or 206 from JR Kyoto Station and get off at Yasaka Shrine Station. Alternatively, you can take the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line and get off at Kawaramachi Station, then walk for about 5 minutes. Or take the Keihan Main Line and get off at Gion-Shijo Station, then walk for about 10 minutes. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from Kiyomizu-dera Temple. One of Japan's three major festivals, the month-long summer festival—Gion Festival, is hosted by Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto. The most photographed spot is the West Gate Tower, which is bright red and one of the "Seven Wonders of Yasaka Shrine". It is said that it does not leave rainwater marks when it rains, and spiders do not weave webs there. Walking inside, you will find the main hall of Yasaka Shrine, which is very special. It is built in the "Gion-zukuri" style, with a single roof covered with cypress bark, but actually consists of two different buildings: the main shrine and the worship hall. It is designated as an important cultural property of Japan. The dance stage, located in the center of the shrine, is used for rituals and Shinto weddings. The building is adorned with rows of white lanterns donated by local Gion businesses, creating a dreamy and mysterious atmosphere when lit at night. There are more than ten small and large shrines within Yasaka Shrine, each dedicated to different deities. There is the Sacred Horse Stable—the mount of the gods; the Okuninushi Shrine—the god of matchmaking and love, where you can also buy small Inaba rabbit fortune slips; the Beauty Shrine—popular among geishas and cosmetics company employees, representing beauty, purity, and cleanliness. The beauty water in front of the shrine is said to beautify the skin and purify the heart when applied, emphasizing that true beauty comes from within. The area of Yasaka Shrine is not large, and you can also connect to Heian Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple along the way. For those who love shopping, you can walk from the Kyoto Kawaramachi shopping district to Teramachi Kyogoku Shopping Street, Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, and Nishiki Market, all the way to the Shijo Karasuma shopping district's major department stores, and then take the Kyoto City Subway from Shijo Station back to Kyoto Station.