Shrine · Kitano / Kamigyo

Kitano Tenmangu 北野天満宮

Kyoto's shrine of learning, dedicated to the scholar Sugawara no Michizane, with 1,500 plum trees, an earthen-rampart maple garden and the monthly Tenjin-san flea market on the 25th.

About

Kitano Tenmangu was founded in 947 to placate the vengeful spirit of Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar-statesman unjustly exiled who, after his death, was blamed for lightning strikes and plagues in the capital; deified as Tenjin, he became the god of learning, and students flood here before exams. The main hall of 1607, built by Toyotomi Hideyori, is a National Treasure, an ornate Momoyama structure of linked halls. Statues of reclining oxen, Michizane's messenger, are rubbed for wisdom. In February and March about 1,500 plum trees bloom, and the Baikasai festival on 25 February features geiko from the nearby Kamishichiken district serving tea. In autumn the Momiji-en garden opens along the Odoi, an earthen rampart built by Hideyoshi, with a vermilion bridge over the Kamiya river. On the 25th of each month the Tenjin-san market fills the grounds.

Highlights

• 1607 main hall, a National Treasure
• Plum garden with about 1,500 trees in February-March
• Odoi rampart maple garden with a vermilion bridge
• Tenjin-san flea market on the 25th
• Reclining ox statues rubbed for wisdom

Tips

• The precinct is free; plum and maple gardens charge seasonally with tea and sweets included.
• Pair the Tenjin-san market (25th) with lunch in the Kamishichiken geisha district.
• Awamochi at Sawaya, opposite the shrine since 1682, is a must.
• The Hirano Shrine, a cherry spot, is 5 minutes north.

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

Nearby

• Tenjin-san Flea Market (Kitano)Market · 200 m away
• KamishichikenPhoto Spot · 210 m away
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)Temple · 1.1 km away
• Funaoka OnsenOnsen & Sento · 1.1 km away
• Funaokayama ParkPark · 1.1 km away
• Toji-in TempleLocal Secret · 1.1 km away
• Yamazaki MenjiroRamen & Noodles · 1.3 km away
• Seimei ShrineShrine · 1.5 km away