Shrine · Gion

Yasaka Shrine 八坂神社

Gion's guardian shrine at the top of Shijo-dori, its vermilion West Gate a city landmark, its dance stage hung with hundreds of glowing lanterns every night, and home of the Gion Matsuri.

About

Yasaka Shrine, known affectionately as Gion-san, has protected the Gion district for more than 1,350 years and is dedicated to Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm god. The Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's three great festivals, began here in 869 as a rite to stop an epidemic and fills the whole of July, with the parade of giant yamaboko floats on 17 and 24 July. The main hall of 1654, in the unique Gion-zukuri style combining the worship hall and inner sanctuary under one roof, was designated a National Treasure in 2020. The vermilion Nishiromon gate at the east end of Shijo-dori is the classic photo, and at night the Buden dance stage glows with lanterns bearing the names of local businesses. Shrines within the precinct include Utsukushi Gozen-sha, for beauty, with a spring whose water is said to improve the skin. It connects directly into Maruyama Park behind.

Highlights

• Nishiromon, the vermilion West Gate at the end of Shijo-dori
• Buden dance stage lit with hundreds of lanterns at night
• Main hall in Gion-zukuri style, a National Treasure since 2020
• Utsukushi Gozen-sha beauty shrine and its spring water
• Gion Matsuri in July and Okera-mairi on New Year's Eve

Tips

• It is open 24 hours: visit at night when the lanterns are lit and the crowds are gone.
• On New Year's Eve, carry home a burning rope from the okera fire, a Kyoto tradition.
• Walk through to Maruyama Park and continue to Chion-in or down Nene-no-michi to Kodai-ji.
• The West Gate photo is best from the crosswalk across Higashioji-dori.

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

Nearby

• IzujuSushi & Seafood · 110 m away
• Gion Duck NoodlesRamen & Noodles · 170 m away
• SOWAKAStay · 200 m away
• Hisago (Gion)Restaurant · 210 m away
• Maruyama ParkPark · 250 m away
• Yojiya GionUnique Store · 300 m away
• Sakamoto Ryoma and Nakaoka Shintaro StatueStatue & Monument · 310 m away
• Hanamikoji StreetPhoto Spot · 320 m away