Temples & religious sites
Kamo Shrine
Kamo Shrine is a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the "devil's gate" due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east corner brought misfortune. Because the Kamo River runs from the north-east direction into the city, the two shrines along the river were intended to prevent demons from entering the city.
What it is
Kamo Shrine is not a single building but the collective name for two related Shinto sites, Kamigamo Shrine and Shimogamo Shrine, set on opposite banks of the Kamo River in northern Kyoto. Both are counted among the city's oldest shrines and were positioned to guard the old capital's northeast corner, a direction traditional geomancy considered inauspicious. Visitors come for the wooded approach paths, gravel courtyards, and vermilion-and-cypress architecture rather than for a single standout monument.
Getting there
Kamigamo Shrine sits in the far north of the city; Shimogamo Shrine is further south, close to the Kamo River delta. Both are reachable by city bus from central Kyoto, with the ride typically taking 30–40 minutes depending on traffic and starting point. Taxis cut this down but cost more. The two shrines themselves are about 3km apart, so treat them as separate stops rather than one visit.
Time to allow
Plan on 45 minutes to an hour at each shrine to walk the grounds, cross the approach avenues, and see the main halls. Shimogamo's Tadasu no Mori forest walk adds extra time if you linger there.
When to go
Early morning is quietest, particularly on weekends. Both sites hold seasonal festivals, including events tied to the Aoi Matsuri in May, when crowds and road closures increase significantly. Outside festival dates, the shrines are generally calm compared with central Kyoto's temples.
Combine with
- Daitoku-ji Temple (1.9km from Kamigamo Shrine) — a large Zen temple complex with several sub-temples worth pairing on the same trip north.
- Kinkaku-ji Temple (3.2km) — feasible to add if you're already in the northern part of the city.
- Shimogamo Shrine (3km) — the complex's other half, best visited as its own stop given the distance.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
