Shrine · Okazaki

Heian Shrine 平安神宮

A grand 1895 replica of the Heian imperial palace in vivid vermilion and green, fronted by one of Japan's largest torii, with a stroll garden of weeping cherries, irises and a stepping-stone crossing.

About

Heian Jingu was built in 1895 to mark the 1,100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto as Heian-kyo, and enshrines Emperor Kanmu, who founded the city, and Emperor Komei, the last emperor to reign here. Its halls are a reduced-scale reconstruction of the Chodo-in, the state halls of the Heian palace, with green-tiled roofs, white gravel and vermilion pillars. A 24 m concrete torii, among the biggest in Japan, straddles the road through Okazaki Park. Behind the halls the Shin-en garden, designed by the master gardener Ogawa Jihei, circles three ponds: crimson weeping cherries in early April, irises in June, and the Garyu-kyo stepping stones made of old bridge pillars from Sanjo and Gojo bridges. The Taiheikaku covered bridge-pavilion over the east pond is the garden's icon. The Jidai Matsuri, a parade of costumes from every era of Kyoto's history, sets out from the Imperial Palace to here every 22 October.

Highlights

• Vermilion and green halls modelled on the Heian palace
• Giant torii over Okazaki's museum district
• Shin-en garden by Ogawa Jihei with weeping cherries
• Garyu-kyo stepping stones and Taiheikaku covered bridge
• Jidai Matsuri parade on 22 October

Tips

• The shrine forecourt is free; only the Shin-en garden is ticketed.
• Early April weeping cherries peak a little later than Maruyama Park's.
• The Okazaki area around it has Kyocera Museum, MOMAK, the zoo and Murin-an; plan a full half day.
• Jidai Matsuri crowds are huge; get a spot near the shrine end early.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• ROHM Theatre KyotoShows & Entertainment · 220 m away
• Okazaki ParkPark · 230 m away
• Kyoto Handicraft CenterUnique Store · 270 m away
• OkakitaRestaurant · 320 m away
• Kyoto Museum of Crafts and DesignMuseum · 360 m away
• Yamamoto MenzouRestaurant · 380 m away
• Heian Jingu Great ToriiPhoto Spot · 380 m away
• Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of ArtMuseum · 390 m away