Ota Shrine
Demachiyanagi, Kyoto
Source: ja.kyoto.travel, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Ota Shrine is a small branch shrine of Kamigamo, dedicated to Ame-no-Uzume. Its marsh, the Ota no Sawa, fills with wild purple kakitsubata irises in May, a colony that's been a protected natural monument since 1939 and that Fujiwara no Toshinari wrote a poem about in the Heian period.
Insider tip
The irises usually peak in mid-May. It's about 10 minutes' walk from the Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop, with no parking and no public toilet. Charms for skill in the performing arts and iris charms cost ¥800 each.
What's on near Ota Shrine
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Ota Shrine, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
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 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 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 Ota Shrine?
- 340 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市北区上賀茂本山340).
- How do I get to Ota Shrine?
- The nearest station is Kamigamo-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 4, 46). Ota Shrine is in Demachiyanagi, Kyoto.
- How much does Ota Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Ota Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Ota Shrine?
- Plan for 20 min.
- When is the best time to visit Ota Shrine?
- Mid-May.
Stay near Ota Shrine
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