Shimogamo Shrine
京都府
World Heritage shrine in the primeval Tadasu no Mori forest — venue of the Aoi Matsuri royal procession
Type
Shrine
Visited
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Access
12 min walk from Keihan Demachiyanagi Station
59 Shimogamo Izumigawa-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
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Info
Shrine
Enshrined Deity
賀茂建角身命
玉依媛命
Overview
One of Kyoto's oldest shrines, the Kamo-Mioya Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enshrined deep within the primeval forest 'Tadasu no Mori,' it worships Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto and Tamayori-hime no Mikoto. The Aoi Matsuri in May, performed together with Kamigamo Shrine, is a pageant of courtly splendor. An ancient shrine that appears in The Tale of Genji, with the matchm…
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Origins
Legend holds that the deity Kamo Taketsunumi descended upon Mt. Mikage during the reign of Emperor Jinmu, with the shrine traditionally founded around the reign of Emperor Sujin. Already revered by the imperial court before the Nara period, it received the highest divine rank of Shoichii in 807, aft…
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Divine Benefits
Matchmaking
Safe Childbirth & Fertility
Safe Travel
Finding a partner, romantic success, marital harmony. Famed at Izumo Taisha, Jishu-jinja, and Kawagoe Hikawa.
Derived from the enshrined deity "賀茂建角身命・玉依媛命"
祭Festivals & Events— 1
祭
5月
15
Aoi Matsuri
The annual festival of Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines, one of Kyoto's three great festivals. About 500 participants in Heian court costumes process from the Imperial Palace to both shrines. The procession adorned with hollyhock leaves carries the elegance of ancient court culture.
記Related Articles— 5
記
記
Kyoto's Enmusubi Shrines: Comparing Seven Shrines by Their Deity Genealogies
A comparative study of seven Kyoto shrines renowned for enmusubi, examining the genealogies of their enshrined deities and the philosophical origins of their matchmaking associations.
basics
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記
What God Is Enshrined at Tamayori Shrine? — Tamayorihime, the Sea Maiden and Matchmaking Goddess
Tamayorihime, the sea maiden who conceived divine children from a sacred jewel, is enshrined at Shimogamo Shrine and numerous regional shrines dedicated to matchmaking and safe childbirth. She is also revered as the mother of Emperor Jinmu.
basics
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記
What God Is Enshrined at Kamo Shrine? — The Twin World Heritage Shrines, Guardians of Kyoto
The twin Kamo shrines of Kyoto — both UNESCO World Heritage Sites — enshrine the ancient Kamo clan deities. Shimogamo enshrines two deities of agriculture and ancestral protection; Kamigamo enshrines the thunder and directional guardian Kamo-wake-ikazuchi.
basics
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Visiting Information
Hours
The shrine grounds are open for worship at any time. The Oidono Hall and former Jinguji temple site are open for viewing 10:00–16:00.
Admission
Free to enter the shrine grounds. Viewing the Oidono Hall and former Jinguji site costs ¥1,000 for adults; free for junior high school students and younger.
As of 2026-07-17. Subject to change.
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Shimogamo auxiliary shrine dedicated to Tamayorihime, revered for beauty blessings; birthplace of the priest-poet Kamo no Chomei
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World Heritage imperial guardian shrine predating Heian-kyo — home of the Aoi Matsuri procession
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下
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World Heritage primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori embracing Shimogamo Shrine, revived each May by the Heian pageantry of the Aoi Festival
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記
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