Yasaka Shrine
Gion, Kyoto
- Daily
- Open all day
Source: kyoto.travel, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Yasaka Shrine watches over the streets of Gion, and its history goes back to at least 876, when the priest Enjo enshrined Gozu Tenno to stop the epidemics sweeping Kyoto. That prayer started the Gion Matsuri, which still fills July, with float processions on 17 and 24 July. The shrine has long ties to the geiko of Gion next door.
More photos of Yasaka Shrine
Insider tip
The grounds never close, so come early in the morning before the day crowds. Leave by the west gate and the streets of Gion spread out in front of you. In 2026 the Gion Matsuri's yoiyama evenings were 14 to 16 and 21 to 23 July.
What the guides say about Yasaka Shrine
6. Gion, early and again at dusk. Yasaka Shrine's grounds never close, and Chion-in, just beyond Maruyama Park, opens its grounds free at 6:00. Come back at dusk for Hanamikoji-dori and the canal at Gion Shirakawa. Don't stop, touch, follow or photograph a geiko or maiko without asking. The district's own rules say so. And stay out of anything that isn't a shop or the road.
For a first trip to Kyoto, stay downtown in Kawaramachi, round the Shijo-Kawaramachi crossing. For atmosphere, stay in Gion, in the teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine. If your trip is short, or you'll be on a train to Nara, Osaka or Himeji most days, stay by Kyoto Station. That's the short answer.
11. Go early, because ticket desks close early. Temple and shrine ticket desks often close around 16:00, so don't leave the big ones for late afternoon. Kiyomizu-dera opens at 6:00, and from March to November Ryoan-ji opens at 8:00 and Ginkaku-ji at 8:30 (half an hour later in winter), while Fushimi Inari Taisha, Yasaka Shrine and Kyoto Gyoen never close. The early morning list has more.
What's on at Yasaka Shrine
Upcoming events at Yasaka Shrine and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Okera Mairi at Yasaka Shrine
をけら詣り
Time Purification rite 15:00, New Year's Eve rite 19:00, the fire burns through the night Station Gion bus stop (City Bus 206), 1 min walk
After the New Year's Eve rite, the sacred okera fire burns in lanterns all night, and you light a rope from it and swing it in circles all the way home so it stays lit. People use the flame for the household altar lamp and to cook New Year zoni soup, and the burnt rope is kept in the kitchen as a charm against fire.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Karuta Hajime at Yasaka Shrine
かるた始め式
Station Gion bus stop (City Bus 206), 1 min walk
The first karuta card game of the year is played as an offering on the Noh stage at Yasaka Shrine, followed by a show of Heian court costume.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Gion Matsuri
祇園祭
Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan)
Yasaka Shrine's festival takes over Kyoto for the whole of July, from the opening rites on the 1st to the purification at Eki Shrine on the 31st. The days you'll want to plan round are the float processions on 17 and 24 July and the three yoiyama evenings before each, and there are paid seats on Oike-dori for both processions.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Gion-sha Kangetsu-sai at Yasaka Shrine
祇園社観月祭（八坂神社）
Time From 19:00 Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan)
On the harvest moon night the dance stage of Yasaka Shrine hosts court dance, gagaku, koto and taiko by lantern light, and waka poems are read aloud.
underutilized, CC BY-SA 2.0 Gion Odori
第67回 祇園をどり
Time 13:30 and 16:00, about 1 hour Station Gion-Shijo (Keihan), exit 7, 5 min walk
Gion Higashi's is the only one of the geisha districts' odori dance shows held in autumn, a medley of nagauta and kiyomoto pieces that ends with the whole district on stage for Gion Higashi Kouta. Tickets are ¥6,000, or ¥7,000 with a tea ceremony seat, and children under 3 aren't admitted.
Nearby
Around Gion
The teahouse streets below Yasaka Shrine, best early or at dusk
Gion grew up as the town at the gate of Yasaka Shrine, and it's still where Kyoto's geiko and maiko live and work. Gion Kobu, the largest of the city's five geiko districts, keeps its teahouses along Hanamikoji-dori, and the Shirakawa canal runs through Gion Shinbashi to the north. Go early for the shrine and the temples behind it. Come back at dusk for the streets.
Gion has 25 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 6 shrines and temples, 4 shops, 4 neighbourhoods, 3 cafes, 2 landmarks, 2 restaurants, 1 bar, 1 museum, 1 park or garden and 1 bathhouse. Read the Gion guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Yasaka Shrine?
- 625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.
- What are the opening hours of Yasaka Shrine?
- Yasaka Shrine is open all day.
- How do I get to Yasaka Shrine?
- The nearest station is Gion-Shijo (Keihan). Yasaka Shrine is in Gion, Kyoto.
- How much does Yasaka Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Yasaka Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Yasaka Shrine?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Yasaka Shrine?
- Early morning.
Stay near Yasaka Shrine
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