The shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the relocation of the capital to Heian, and is flanked by the 24-meter high Otorii (Grand Gate), a registered tangible cultural property of Japan. The shrine pavilion, painted in bright vermilion and green, is modeled after the Chodoin Temple. The vast garden is home to rare bird species, the Mino tortoise, which grows grass on its shell, and the Minamiseki tortoise, the only known survivor of which is found only here in Honshu.
Hours of visitation: 6:00-18:00
Shrine Garden
November-February 8:30-16:30
March 1-14 and September-October 8:30-17:00
Main Shrine
Feb. 15 - Mar. 14, Sept. - Oct. 6:00 - 17:30
November - February 6:00-17:00
Shinden entrance fee
Adults: 600 yen
Free of charge for admission to the shrine garden
30 min. by city bus from JR Kyoto Sta.
10 min. on foot from Higashiyama Sta. on the Subway Tozai Line