Seimei Shrine
Kitano, Kyoto
- Daily
- 9:00 to 17:00
Open every day. The amulet counter closes at 16:30.
Source: seimeijinja.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Seimei Shrine honours Abe no Seimei, the Heian-era yin-yang diviner, and his five-pointed star crest hangs on the torii where most shrines put their name. The spout of the Seimei well is turned at the start of spring each year to face that year's lucky direction.
Insider tip
It's free and open 9:00 to 17:00 every day. Ichijo Modoribashi, the bridge where Watanabe no Tsuna is said to have cut off a demon's arm, crosses the Horikawa 100 m south, and the old bridge's posts now stand in the grounds next to a statue of a shikigami spirit.
What's on at Seimei Shrine
Upcoming events at Seimei Shrine and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Seimei-sai at Seimei Shrine
晴明祭
Time Eve 19:00, procession 13:00 to 18:00 Station Ichijo Modoribashi Seimei-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 9, 12)
The festival of the shrine to the court diviner Abe no Seimei, on the autumn equinox and the night before. The eve has yudate kagura at 19:00 and a lantern procession of about 100 local children, and on the day the mikoshi leaves at 13:00 behind a boys' fife and drum band and goes round the parish until 18:00.
Fg2, Public domain Spring Doll Exhibition at Hokyo-ji
春の人形展（宝鏡寺）
Time 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:30) Station Horikawa Teranouchi bus stop (City Bus 9), right by the stop
The imperial convent known as the doll temple shows dolls Emperor Komei treasured among its Kyoto dolls each spring, and the show opens on 1 March with a hina matsuri ceremony in the main hall at 11:00. Its other doll show is in November.
Nearby
Around Kitano
Tenjin's head shrine, Kyoto's oldest geisha district and Daitoku-ji
Start at Kitano Tenmangu, head shrine of about 12,000 Tenjin shrines, founded in 947 for Sugawara no Michizane, the scholar students still pray to before exams. Come on the 25th, when the Tenjin-san Market fills the approach and the lanterns are lit after dark. Kamishichiken, Kyoto's oldest geisha district, lines the shrine's east approach, and Daitoku-ji's Zen temples are about 1.7 km north-east.
Kitano has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 10 shrines and temples, 3 cafes, 3 shops, 2 restaurants, 2 bathhouses, 1 viewpoint, 1 neighbourhood, 1 museum, 1 bar and 1 market. Read the Kitano guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Seimei Shrine?
- 806 Seimei-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市上京区晴明町806（堀川通一条上ル）).
- What are the opening hours of Seimei Shrine?
- Daily 9:00 to 17:00. Open every day. The amulet counter closes at 16:30.
- How do I get to Seimei Shrine?
- The nearest station is Ichijo Modoribashi Seimei-jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 9, 12). Seimei Shrine is in Kitano, Kyoto.
- How much does Seimei Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Seimei Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Seimei Shrine?
- Plan for 20 min.
- When is the best time to visit Seimei Shrine?
- Weekday mornings.
Stay near Seimei Shrine
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