Kamigamo Shrine
Demachiyanagi, Kyoto
- Daily
- 5:30 to 17:00
Hours are for the grounds inside the second torii. The Romon gate and the amulet office open 8:00 to 16:45.
Source: kamigamojinja.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Kamigamo Shrine is one of Kyoto's oldest, on 76 hectares south of Mt Koyama, where its god is said to have come down to earth. In front of the Hosodono hall stand two cones of white sand, the tatesuna, that stand for the mountain, with pine needles stuck in the top of each. The two main halls are National Treasures and 41 other buildings are Important Cultural Properties.
Insider tip
The grounds inside the second torii are free. For ¥500 a priest takes you into the inner precinct in front of the main halls, 10:00 to 16:00, though it pauses around the Aoi Matsuri and New Year. The Kamo Kurabeuma horse race runs on 5 May and the Aoi Matsuri on 15 May. On the third Sunday of October, riders shoot at targets from galloping horses in the Kasagake rite.
What the guides say about Kamigamo Shrine
12. The shrine forests in the north. Start at the Kamogawa Delta, with its stepping stones shaped like turtles and birds, right outside Demachiyanagi Station. Walk north from its tip into Tadasu no Mori, the 12.4-hectare forest round Shimogamo Shrine, whose grounds open free at 6:30. Kamigamo Shrine opens its grounds at 5:30, also free.
What's on at Kamigamo Shrine
Upcoming events at Kamigamo Shrine, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Kamigamo Handmade Market
上賀茂手づくり市
Time 9:00 to 15:00 Station Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 4)
Stalls line the Nara-no-ogawa stream in Kamigamo Shrine's grounds, and everything is made by the seller, from jewellery, clothes and pottery to vegetables, baked sweets and bread. Check the organiser's dates, since a month with five Sundays can catch people out.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kasagake Horseback Archery at Kamigamo Shrine
笠懸神事
Time From about 13:00 (rite in the main hall from 12:30) Station Kamigamo Misonobashi bus stop (City Bus), 5 min walk
Riders at full gallop shoot at targets level with them and down on the ground, a style of mounted archery more practical than yabusame. Kamigamo is the only shrine in Japan where it's performed as an offering, and there's a one-day-only goshuin stamp.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kamo Kyokusui no En Poetry Party
賀茂曲水宴（上賀茂神社）
Time From 13:00 Station Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 4), right by the stop
Poets in Heian court dress compose waka on the spot by the stream in the Shokeien garden, on a theme set by the previous year's Aoi Matsuri princess, with music and recitation. Viewing is paid.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Saio-dai Purification Rite
斎王代禊の儀
Time From 10:30 Station Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 4), right by the stop
The Aoi Matsuri's princess and her ladies in Heian dress dip their hands in the stream to purify themselves before the festival. Kamigamo and Shimogamo take turns to host it, and it was at Shimogamo in 2026.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Kamo Kurabeuma Horse Race at Kamigamo Shrine
賀茂競馬（上賀茂神社）
Time Rite from 13:00, races from about 14:00 Station Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 4), right by the stop
Riders in bugaku costume race in pairs on the shrine's lawn, a court race moved here in 1093: the second horse starts a length behind and wins if it closes the gap. Viewing is paid. The trial runs that pick the pairs are on 1 May at about 13:00.
Kimon Berlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 Nearby
Around Demachiyanagi
Stepping stones, a shrine forest and the trains to Kurama
Demachiyanagi is where the Kamo and Takano rivers meet, and where the Keihan line from Osaka ends. Come up out of the station and the Kamogawa Delta is right there, with stepping stones shaped like turtles and birds. Walk north from its tip and you're in Tadasu no Mori, the forest round Shimogamo Shrine. Eizan trains for Kurama and the foot of Mt Hiei leave from the platforms above ground.
Demachiyanagi has 15 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 5 shrines and temples, 2 landmarks, 2 parks and gardens, 2 cafes, 1 shop, 1 neighbourhood, 1 restaurant and 1 bathhouse. Read the Demachiyanagi guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Kamigamo Shrine?
- 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市北区上賀茂本山339).
- What are the opening hours of Kamigamo Shrine?
- Daily 5:30 to 17:00. Hours are for the grounds inside the second torii. The Romon gate and the amulet office open 8:00 to 16:45.
- How do I get to Kamigamo Shrine?
- The nearest station is Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 4, 46). Kamigamo Shrine is in Demachiyanagi, Kyoto.
- How much does Kamigamo Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Kamigamo Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Kamigamo Shrine?
- Plan for 1 hour.
- When is the best time to visit Kamigamo Shrine?
- Early morning.
Stay near Kamigamo Shrine
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