Shimogamo Shrine — Attraction in Kyoto

This review comes a bit late since I visited this beautiful shrine in early November 2024, but it’s been an unforgettable trip and truly a rather hidden gem for Kyoto shrines.

Shimogamo is one of the two oldest and most important shrines in Kyoto, dating back further than the settlement of Kyoto as Ancient Japan’s capital. Its importance throughout history is felt as you walk through the grounds that are much more spacious than other temples and shrines, the walk through the garden was especially serene - and the rain made it all feel even more connected with nature, as is the spirit of Shintoism. Even more poignant since the shrine was settled here for the Kamo river.

There are also several marked archeological sites and protected ancient trees to remind you of the age of this sacred place.

Yet despite its historical significance, it (luckily) does not receive the level of tourist attention which other more widely known temples/shrines do, so it was a very peaceful experience. There was an ongoing ceremony for an event hence the group of people in my photos, but otherwise quite empty. The gift shop was quite popular since this shrine sells a famous season edition omamori - a special momento capturing the season you visited. Entry to the grounds and surrounding garden is also free but there is a fee to enter the prayer halls, which I didn’t do.

They also have the water omikuji in Japanese only (I got great fortune yay 🙏)

I will definitely visit again and also its connected Kamigamo shrine...

You should definitely visit here for Yabusame held in the beginning of May and Mitarai Festival in the late July.

Yabusame ( Samurai Archery ) is a type of mounted archery in traditional Japanese archery. An archer on a running horse shoots three special "turnip-headed" arrows successively at three wooden targets.This style of archery has its origins at the beginning of the Kamakura period. Minamoto no Yoritomo became alarmed at the lack of archery skills his samurai had. He organized yabusame as a form of practice.

Mitarai Festival is another way called foot bathing ritual. You wade through a water path flowing through the sharine holding a candle to purify your feet. This area where the water path is flowing is called Mitarashi Pond and you can enter this pond only during this period. It is believed that you will be blessed with protection of god if you take part in this ritual during this period. ( Originally it was held to fight against plague of ancient times.) The charge is 300 yen and you will be given a candle to dedicate to the shrine. The water is very cold and so refreshing during this season of intense heat. After this ritual you will see a Mitarashi Dango ( a type of wagashi with mochi on a stick with soy sause based sause ) stall selling Mitarashi Dango. It might be a great choice before you leave the place. The event starts at 17:30 and finished at 22:00.

( Trans-word+ : TGM...

Shimogamo Shrine is registered by the UNESCO as a World Heritage. When we arrived at the Shimogamo Shrine in the evening, happened to meet a festival called "Mitarashi festival". Every year, during this period, there are many food vendors in front of the shrine to sell lots of delicious foods to visiting people, just like the night market, very lively. It was more interesting to enter the shrine. Everyone here took off their shoes, walked into the cold pool, and then lighted the candles on the sides of the pool and made a wish. Then walked up the platform, dried the feet, put on shoes, and drunk the cold water named "god water" provided by the temple to complete the ceremony. Finally, we bought a Japanese amulet called "Omamori" that looked like a foot, very cute, and wrote a blessing on it. This was a very impressive...