Yoshida Shrine
Ginkakuji, Kyoto
Source: yoshidajinja.com, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Founded in 859 to protect the capital, Yoshida Shrine sits on the hill of Kagura-oka, up the street from Kyoto University's main gate. The Daigen-gu hall, an Important Cultural Property, enshrines the gods of every shrine in Japan, and there are small shrines to the god of cooking and the god of sweets. It's busiest at Setsubun, 2 to 4 February, when about 500,000 people come and around 800 stalls line the approaches.
Insider tip
On the afternoon of 2 February the tsuina-shiki drives out demons, led by a figure in a golden four-eyed mask with a crowd of children. On the 3rd, old charms are burned in a huge fire in front of the third torii. Walk from Kyodai-seimon-mae bus stop (5 minutes) or Demachiyanagi Station (about 20). The parking on the grounds is closed during Setsubun, so come by bus or train.
What's on at Yoshida Shrine
Upcoming events at Yoshida Shrine and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Setsubun Festival at Yoshida Shrine
節分祭（吉田神社）
Time Demon-chasing rite on the 2nd, fire festival on the 3rd Station Kyodai-seimon-mae bus stop (City Bus 201, 206)
About 500,000 people come over the three days, and about 800 stalls line the grounds on the 2nd and 3rd. On the 2nd a figure in a golden four-eyed mask chases red, blue and yellow demons round the dance stage in a Heian court rite, and on the 3rd old charms burn in a fire pit 4 m across.
Saigen Jiro, CC0 1.0 Ojuya Nembutsu Services at Shinnyo-do
お十夜（十日十夜別事念仏会）
Time 15 Nov: procession 14:00, closing service 17:00 Station Kinrin Shako-mae bus stop (City Bus 5)
For ten nights the main Amida statue is unveiled and a white cord tied to its hand runs out to a post in front of the hall, and touching the cord is said to carry your wish straight to the Buddha. On the last day, 15 Nov, there's a procession of children and monks at 14:00, close-up viewing of the statue from 9:00 and free azuki bean porridge.
KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0 Kurodani Konkai Komyo-ji Autumn Night Viewing
くろ谷 金戒光明寺 秋の特別公開 夜間拝観
Time 17:30 to 20:30 (last entry 20:00) Station Okazaki-michi bus stop (City Bus 32, 203, 204), 10 min walk
Konkai Komyo-ji lights its Goeido hall and the Shiun garden, where the maples reflect in the pond, shows Ito Jakuchu's rooster screens in the great abbot's hall, and lights next-door Eisho-in too (¥1,600 for both). Koto and shinobue players give 20-minute sets at 17:45, 18:30 and 19:30, included in the ticket.
NORITO,S, CC BY-SA 3.0 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 Hyakumanben Handmade Market at Chion-ji
百万遍さんの手づくり市
Time 8:00 to 16:00 Station Hyakumanben bus stop (City Bus 206), 1 min walk
Makers sell their own crafts, ceramics, clothes and food in Chion-ji's grounds on the 15th of each month. Places are allotted by lottery among applicants, and it runs in the rain.
Daderot, CC0 1.0 Nearby
Around Ginkakuji
Temple gardens along a canal path, under the Daimonji hill
Get to Ginkaku-ji for its 8:30 opening, because the temple fills up as the day goes on. Then walk south on the Philosopher's Path, about 1.8 km of stone path beside a branch of the Lake Biwa Canal, and turn off it for the temples on either side. Honen-in's grounds open at 6:00, and you don't pay to go in.
Ginkakuji has 15 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 7 shrines and temples, 2 museums, 2 restaurants, 1 viewpoint, 1 shop, 1 neighbourhood and 1 bathhouse. Read the Ginkakuji guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Yoshida Shrine?
- 30 Yoshida Kaguraoka-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市左京区吉田神楽岡町30).
- How do I get to Yoshida Shrine?
- The nearest station is Kyodai-seimon-mae bus stop (City Bus 201, 206). Yoshida Shrine is in Ginkakuji, Kyoto.
- How much does Yoshida Shrine cost?
- Nothing. Yoshida Shrine is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Yoshida Shrine?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Yoshida Shrine?
- Setsubun, 2 to 4 February.
Stay near Yoshida Shrine
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