Temples & religious sites
Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine is an important Shinto sanctuary in the Shimogamo district of Kyoto city's Sakyō ward. Its formal name is Kamo-mioya Shrine . It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The term Kamo-jinja in Japanese is a general reference to Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine, the traditionally linked Kamo shrines of Kyoto; Shimogamo is the older of the pair, being believed to be 100 years older than Kamigamo, and dating to the 6th century, centuries before K...
What it is
Shimogamo Shrine is one of the two Kamo shrines that predate most of Kyoto itself, with roots going back to at least the 6th century. It sits at the tip of a triangle of land where the Takano and Kamo rivers meet, and reaching the shrine buildings means walking through Tadasu no Mori, a stretch of old-growth forest that has survived largely intact within the city. The shrine complex includes vermilion-lacquered halls, a stream used for purification rituals, and a set of subshrines linked to the twelve zodiac animals. It's a good stop for anyone interested in Shinto architecture or in seeing how a shrine forest looks compared to a manicured temple garden.
Getting there
From central Kyoto, the shrine is reachable by city bus (routes serving Shimogamo-jinja-mae) in around 20-30 minutes depending on your starting point, or by a combination of train and a short walk. Taxis from downtown take roughly 15-20 minutes barring traffic.
Time to allow
Plan for about an hour, including the walk through Tadasu no Mori, which itself takes 10-15 minutes each way at a relaxed pace.
When to go
Early morning is quieter and cooler for the forest walk. The shrine hosts the Aoi Matsuri procession in May and gets busy around New Year, so expect crowds at those times. Otherwise it's noticeably calmer than more central sightseeing spots.
Combine it with
- Kyoto Imperial Palace (1.8km) - close enough to pair in one outing, especially if you're walking or cycling.
- Heian Jingū (2.6km) - a contrasting example of a much newer, more brightly colored shrine.
- Ginkaku-ji Temple (2.7km) - can be combined via the Philosopher's Path for a longer half-day route.
Sources: open data from Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap · Updated August 5, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
