Yasaka Jinja Shrine popularly known as Gion Shrine is a very famous shrine at the east end of Shijo-dori (Fourth Avenue) in the Gion district of Kyoto. It is also the site of the Gion-matsuri summer festival, one of the largest festivals in Japan, celebrated in the month of July. The original structure of the shrine dates back to 656 AD. It was devoted to Susanoo-no-mikoto, the god of prosperity and good health, his wife Inadahime and their 8 children. The present structures of the shrine were sculptured on the original constructions when the shrine was reconstructed in 1654.
In 869, the omikoshi (portable shrines) of Gion Shrine were paraded through the streets of Kyoto city as an appeal to the shrine deities for relief from an epidemic that ruined the city. This way the Gion Matsuri festival, which is now an annual festival of Japan, started its journey. The shrine consists of many structures including a main hall, gates and a stage.
Yasaka Shrine is a very popular place for the people of Kyoto city. Newborn babies are brought here for registration. Worshippers frequently visit this place to offer prayer to the god of prosperity and health. Besides hosting the Gion Matsuri on 17th of July, it welcomes thousands of people for Hatsumode, the New Year celebration at midnight of 31st December. It is also the site for Shichi-go-san festival, celebrated in November. Three, five and seven-year-old Japanese children are brought to the Shrine to participate in this popular festival. Ro-mon, the main entrance of the Yasaka Shrine, is a two-story gate with bright red posts and white walls. Shinto guardians on either side of the entrance protect the shrine from the evil eye.Haiden, the offertory building stands on the left of the central area. The roofed ceremonial stage for religious occasions lies opposite to the Haiden.The most interesting feature of Yasaka Shrine is Honden, the spirit hall. It is a single-story building roofed with cedar-wood shingles. A 30ft high stone torii stands to the south of the Honden.Wooden koma-inu figures (lion-like animals) created by the well-known sculptor Unkei are some of the priceless artifacts owned by the shrine. Maruyama Park, the most popular tourist destination in Kyoto for its picturesque view of cherry blossoms (hanami) in spring is situated next to the ground of Yasaka Shrine. How to Reach From Kyoto station take bus 206 or 207. Get off at Gion. A short-walk from Gion will take you to the Yasaka Shrine. Admission fees are not required for entering into the shrine and the park and the premises remain open on all days for 24 hrs. The Yasaka Shrine, famous for its colorful variety of events is a must see place in Kyoto.
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