Shogo-in
Okazaki, Kyoto
- Daily
- 9:30 to 16:30
Hours are for the free areas. The autumn special opening runs 10 October to 6 December 2026 on set days, 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry).
Source: shogoin.or.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Shogo-in is the head temple of the Honzan Shugen school, which once oversaw yamabushi mountain ascetics across Japan, founded in 1090 and rebuilt on this site in 1676. After the Great Tenmei Fire of 1788 burned the Imperial Palace, it served as Emperor Kokaku's temporary palace for about three years, and its halls are lined with Kano school paintings.
Insider tip
On ordinary days you can pray for free at the Fudo hall at the back of the garden. The halls themselves open only for the autumn special opening, 10 October to 6 December 2026, mostly Fridays to Sundays and holidays, for ¥800.
What's on at Shogo-in
Upcoming events at Shogo-in and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Setsubun at Shogo-in
聖護院節分会
Time 9:00 to about 19:30, demon rite 13:00 on the 3rd Station Jingu-Marutamachi (Keihan Oto Line)
The Shinden hall, normally closed, opens free for the two days. On the 3rd mountain ascetics talk the demons round instead of chasing them out, and a big outdoor goma fire follows at 15:00.
663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0 Takigi Noh at Heian Shrine
薪能（平安神宮）
Time Evenings Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
Noh performed by firelight at Heian Shrine on the evenings of 1 and 2 June. In rain it moves indoors to the main hall of ROHM Theatre Kyoto, as the second night did in 2026, and the shrine garden stops taking visitors at 17:20 on both days.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 Tanabata Wind Chime Festival at Heian Shrine
七夕風鈴まつり（平安神宮）
Time 8:30 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30) Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
Wind chimes hang from the Hashidono, the roofed bridge over the pond in Heian Shrine's garden, and you can write a wish on a strip for ¥300, free on 7 July and 19 August if you've paid for the garden. Garden entry is ¥600.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 Setsubun at Heian Jingu
節分行事（平安神宮）
Time Kyogen 12:00, rite 14:00, bonfire from about 15:30 Station Okazaki Koen Bijutsukan Heian-jingu-mae bus stop (City Bus 5), 5 min walk
A Heian court demon-expelling rite at 14:00, then the demons come back through the Otenmon gate to dance, beans are thrown, and about 40,000 prayer sticks go on a bonfire. A free Okura school kyogen play opens the afternoon at 12:00.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 Kyoto Marathon 2027
京都マラソン2027
Time Wheelchair race from 8:55, marathon from 9:00, course closes at 15:00 Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk to the finish at Heian Jingu
About 16,000 runners set off from Takebishi Stadium at 9:00 and finish in front of Heian Jingu, passing near seven World Heritage sites on the way, Kinkaku-ji, Kamigamo and Ginkaku-ji among them. Roads along the course close for hours, so plan your sightseeing around it.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 Nearby
Around Okazaki
Art museums, Meiji gardens and Nanzen-ji along the Lake Biwa Canal
Okazaki is Kyoto's museum quarter. Two art museums sit either side of the approach to Heian Shrine, by its giant torii, and the zoo, a crafts museum and ROHM Theatre Kyoto are a few minutes away round Okazaki Park. Follow the Lake Biwa Canal east and you're at Nanzen-ji, with Eikan-do and Murin-an a short walk from its gate.
Okazaki has 27 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 9 shrines and temples, 6 museums, 4 restaurants, 2 cafes, 2 shops, 2 landmarks and 2 parks and gardens. Read the Okazaki guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Shogo-in?
- 15 Shogoin Nakamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市左京区聖護院中町15).
- What are the opening hours of Shogo-in?
- Daily 9:30 to 16:30. Hours are for the free areas. The autumn special opening runs 10 October to 6 December 2026 on set days, 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry).
- How do I get to Shogo-in?
- The nearest station is Jingu-Marutamachi (Keihan). Shogo-in is in Okazaki, Kyoto.
- How much does Shogo-in cost?
- Nothing. Shogo-in is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Shogo-in?
- Plan for 45 min.
- When is the best time to visit Shogo-in?
- Autumn special opening.
Stay near Shogo-in
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