May 6, 2008
...from Kodai-ji Temple, we walked towards Yasaka Shrine...by then the sun had already sunk dutifully into the west....
Yasaka Shrine is also known as Gion Shrine probably because it is very close to the Gion District.
It is famous for its Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's largest festivals. The shrine is located at the eastern end of Shijo-dori and is dedicated to the gods of health and prosperity (hmm....probably why it attracts a lot of people, geishas included). The present buildings date back to 1654.
The many lanterns that decorate the shrine's stage are lit after dark and bear the names of their sponsors, mostly Kyoto businesses. Yasaka Shrine is also popular in cherry blossom season as crowds head toMaruyama Park.
Free admission. Open 24 hours.
One of the photos posted here is of Lawson, and as you can see it is designed to blend in with the old-world style of Gion...its directly across Yasaka Shrine. By this time I was already starving so we snapped a few pictures of the pretty lights and then moved on towards the Gion District.
How to get here:
Take number 100 and 206 and get off at Gion bus stop. The closest train stations are Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
Another way is a 20+ minute walk from Kiyomizudera Temple through the narrow lanes of the Higashiyama ("Eastern Mountain") district to Yasaka Shrine.
...from Kodai-ji Temple, we walked towards Yasaka Shrine...by then the sun had already sunk dutifully into the west....
Yasaka Shrine is also known as Gion Shrine probably because it is very close to the Gion District.
It is famous for its Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's largest festivals. The shrine is located at the eastern end of Shijo-dori and is dedicated to the gods of health and prosperity (hmm....probably why it attracts a lot of people, geishas included). The present buildings date back to 1654.
The many lanterns that decorate the shrine's stage are lit after dark and bear the names of their sponsors, mostly Kyoto businesses. Yasaka Shrine is also popular in cherry blossom season as crowds head toMaruyama Park.
Free admission. Open 24 hours.
One of the photos posted here is of Lawson, and as you can see it is designed to blend in with the old-world style of Gion...its directly across Yasaka Shrine. By this time I was already starving so we snapped a few pictures of the pretty lights and then moved on towards the Gion District.
How to get here:
Take number 100 and 206 and get off at Gion bus stop. The closest train stations are Shijo Station on the Keihan Line and Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line.
Another way is a 20+ minute walk from Kiyomizudera Temple through the narrow lanes of the Higashiyama ("Eastern Mountain") district to Yasaka Shrine.
- Jul 10, '08 1:59 AM
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chitoirigo wrote on Jul 10, '08
Obligatory?
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cuh888 wrote on Jul 10, '08
Chito, nice headshot *wink*
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cuh888 wrote on Jul 10, '08
yes, am obligated coz new shrine being visited, so may souvenir shot dapat..esp as its one of the most popular shrines in Kyoto....