Shrine · Kyoto Imperial Palace west

Goo Shrine 護王神社

Shrine opposite the Kyoto Imperial Palace guarded by stone wild boars instead of lion-dogs, visited for healthy legs and recovery from injury.

PriceFree

Getting thereMarutamachi Station (Karasuma Line), 7 min walk

Time needed30-60 min

Best timeYear round

Address385 Okakuencho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto

Websitegooujinja.or.jp

About

Goo Shrine enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro, an 8th-century official who, legend says, was protected by 300 wild boars. Boar statues and boar motifs fill the precinct, including at the water basin. People pray here for strong legs and hips, and runners and those recovering from injury are frequent visitors.

Highlights

Pair of guardian boar statues
Boar-shaped water basin
Prayers for legs and lower back
Collection of boar figurines

Tips

Directly west of the Imperial Palace's Hamaguri Gate side, near Marutamachi Station
Especially busy in boar zodiac years
Free to visit

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-11

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Goo Shrine 護王神社

About

Highlights

Tips

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