Nonomiya Shrine — Local services in Kyoto

Nonomiya Shrine, located in the serene Arashiyama district of Kyoto, is a charming and historically significant Shinto shrine. Nestled at the edge of the famous bamboo grove, the shrine offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. Its rustic beauty, with moss-covered torii gates and traditional black wood structures, reflects ancient Japanese aesthetics and creates a peaceful, almost mystical atmosphere.

Nonomiya Shrine is known for its association with imperial princesses who once prepared here for service at the Ise Grand Shrine. Today, it is a popular site for those seeking blessings in love, marriage, and safe childbirth. Visitors often write their wishes on wooden plaques (ema) and tie them around the grounds, adding to the shrine’s spiritual ambiance.

The location is perfect for a relaxing stroll, especially when combined with the nearby bamboo forest and Togetsukyo Bridge. Despite its modest size, the shrine holds deep cultural and historical significance, making it a meaningful stop for those interested in traditional Japanese spirituality. Its peaceful setting and beautiful surroundings leave a lasting impression on...

The very last sightseeing on my first day in Arashiyama was the Nonomiya Shrine.

The Nonomiya-jinja Shrine is a Shinto shrine. Because of its nature as a native faith in Japan, it differs quite significantly from the elaborate temples of Arashiyama, both in terms of its history and its ambience. Yet, as a Shinto shrine, the Nonomiya-jinja Shrine had a very specific and unique role in imperial history as well.

The Nonomiya Shrine comes from the Heian period. It served as the venue of a religious practice in antiquity, “successive imperial princesses stayed in the Nonomiya Shrine for a year or more to purify themselves before becoming representatives of the imperial family at the Ise Shrine in Mie prefecture.” (Wikipedia on Nonomiya Shrine). These imperial priestesses were called Saigu. At the time of founding, the Nonomiya Shrine served Princess Ninshi, a daughter of Emperor Saga, who served as Saigu from 809 to 903 A.D. at Ise Jingu, which was the most important shrine in...

We watched this procession today from the Shrine to the river. It was truly amazing. In honor of this ancient tradition, Nonomiya Shrine holds a reenactment of the priestess' departure for Ise called the Saigū Gyōretsu each year in October, where visitors to the Arashiyama area can watch a procession of people in court regalia make their way from the shrine down to the river where purification...