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World Heritage Site: Shimogamo Shrine and Kamomioya Shrine
下鴨神社

Temple grounds map

Temple grounds map

1

West main hall

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Deity: Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto. A god who helped Emperor Jimmu. He is said to have been incarnated as a golden hawk or a Yatagarasu. He is said to grant blessings for new beginnings, protection from misfortune, and good fortune.

2

East Main Hall

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Deity: Tamayorihime-no-mikoto. She is the child deity of Kamo Taketsunumi-no-mikoto and the mother deity who gave birth to the deity of Kamigamo Shrine. She is said to grant blessings for safe childbirth and child-rearing.

3

Hitokotosha

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Deity: Ookunitama-no-Kami

4

Hitokotosha

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Deity: Utsukunitama-no-kami

5

Futakotosha

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Deity: Omononushi no Kami

6

Futakotosha

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Deity: Okuninushi-no-Kami

7

Mikotosha Shrine

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Deity: Shikono-no-kami

8

Mikotosha Shrine

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Deity: Oonamuchi no Kami

9

Mikotosha Shrine

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Deity: Yachihokonokami

3–9

Kotosha

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The seven shrines are dedicated to the gods that protect the zodiac signs (the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac). As they are the guardian deities of each person, please visit the shrine that corresponds to the year of your birth.

10

Insha

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Deity: Reiji

11

Mitsui Shrine

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Deity: Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto

12

Mitsui Shrine

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Deity: Iga Koyahime-no-Mikoto

13

Mitsui Shrine

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Deity: Tamayorihime no Mikoto

14

Suwasha Shrine

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Deity: Takeminakata no Kami

15

Komorisha

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Deity: Mikumari no Kami

16

Shirahigesha Shrine

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Deity: Sarutahiko-no-kami

17

Inoue Shrine

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Deity: Seoritsuhime-no-Mikoto. Also known as Mitarashi-sha. Built on top of a well, this shrine is dedicated to the god of protection from disasters and misfortunes.

17

Mitarai Pond

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This is the pond where the Saio-dai Misogi no Gi ritual, in which the heroine of the Aoi Festival, purifies herself by dipping her hands in the pond, takes place. The Foot-Soaking Ceremony on the summer day of the Doyo no Ushi also takes place here. It is said that the Mitarashi Dango (a type of sweet rice cake) originated from the bubbles that bubble up in this pond.

18

Innosha

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Deity: Inji-no-Okami, Kura-Inatama-no-Kami

19

OtagiShrine, InariShrine

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Deity: Homusubi no Kami

20

Izumoino Shrine

(Izumo Inohe Shrine)

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Enshrined deity: Takehayasu Susanoo no Mikoto. Trees are planted with a wish in mind, and when the wish is fulfilled the leaves become jagged like holly leaves, so the shrine is commonly known as Hiragi Shrine (Holy Shrine).

21

Iwamotosha Headquarters

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Deity: Sumiyoshi-no-kami

22

Hashimotosha

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Deity: Tamatsushima-no-kami

23

Haraisha Shrine

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Deities: Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto, Tamayorihime no Mikoto, Haraedo no Kami

24

Aioisha

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Deity: Kamimusubi no Kami. A god of relationships between men and women and various other types of matchmaking. There are "Enmusubi Ema" plaques and "Matchmaking Omikuji" fortune-telling slips based on the Tale of Genji.

24

The Wise Tree of Love

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This mysterious tree is said to be a symbol of love because it is made up of two trees that are joined together halfway through.

25

Saio Shinrei Shrine

(Saio Shinreisha)

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Deity: Spirits of the successive Saio

26

Sawataya

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Deity: Kantama-no-Mikoto The shrine enshrines Kantama-no-Mikoto, the god of ball sports. The first rugby match in the Kansai region was held here, so there is a monument marking the spot as the "first place for rugby."

27

Twenty-two shrines

(22nd person)

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Deity: The Founding God of the Twenty-Two Kamo Clan Lines

28

Kawasaki Shrine

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Deities worshipped: Oinokinomikoto, Kantama-no-Mikoto, Kamotaketsunumi-no-Mikoto, Tamayorihiko-no-Mikoto, Oyanase-no-Mikoto, and Umanoki-no-Mikoto.

29

Kawai Shrine

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Deity: Tamayorihime-no-Mikoto, the beautiful deity who protects women. Imagine your face on the "Kagami Ema" and put on makeup with your wish in mind.

30

Kifune Shrine

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Deity: Takaokami-no-kami

31

Tobesha Shrine

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Deity: Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto
A god who helped Emperor Jimmu. A god of protection from misfortune and good fortune.

32

Mutsuno Shrine

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(From the north)

Suwa Shrine / Deity: Takeminakata no Kami Michi Shrine / Deity: Yachimatahiko no Kami and Yachimatahime no Kami Inari Shrine / Deity: Uka no Mitama no Kami Kamado no Kami / Deity: Okutsuhiko no Kami and Okutsuhime no Kami Insha / Deity: Reiji Yuki Shrine / Deity: Sukunahikona no Mikoto

33

Mitsui Shrine

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Deities worshipped: Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto, Iga Koyahime no Mikoto, Tamayorihime no Mikoto

34

Mikage Shrine

Enshrined on Mount Mikage

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We enshrine the main deity, Aramitama (a newly born, fierce and powerful divine spirit like a baby).

35

Kamo no Chomei's residence

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Kamo no Chomei, author of the "Hojoki" (Records of the Dead), was born as the son of a priest at Kawai Shrine. The hermitage where Chomei lived is restored and on display.

36

Tadasu Forest

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The forest covers an area of 124,000 square meters. A clear stream flows through the forest, and the forest retains its wilderness appearance. In mid-August, a used book festival is held. "Kirishiba" in the middle of the forest has been a ritual site since ancient times.

37

Saruya

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This is a reproduction of the "Shinmochi" rice cakes of the Aoi Festival, which were popular until the beginning of the Meiji period.

38

Korin's Plum Blossoms

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This is the plum tree that was the model for the "Red and White Plum Blossoms Screen" painted by artist Ogata Korin.

39

Prayer Hall [Kamosha Reiden]

(Kitou

[Kamosharaiden]

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We accept requests for prayers such as the first shrine visit of the year, prayers for safe childbirth, and warding off evil spirits.

40

Corridor of the Bay

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You can also visit the main hall from behind through the corridor that runs around the back. This corridor has been used since ancient times to worship the main shrine from all four sides, but it was removed during the war and restored for the 34th Shikinen Sengu Ceremony.

41

Duck ice house

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It was established in the Oido Hall to cook offerings for annual festivals. In ancient times, spring water from Tadasu-no-Mori Forest was drawn from deep underground, frozen during the winter, and stored in a refrigerator for use.

42

Aoi Garden

(Special viewing)

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The two-leafed hollyhock, which is essential to the Aoi Festival, grows wild here. The two-leafed hollyhock is the sacred crest of Shimogamo Shrine, and during the Kamo Festival (Aoi Festival), volunteers wear it along with the Katsura. Aoi can also be written as "Afui," with "Afu" meaning to meet and "Hi" meaning spirit. It means meeting the power of the great god.

43

Oidono

(Special viewing)

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God's Kitchen. This is the place where offerings to the gods are displayed.

44

Pebbles

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This is the "pebbles" mentioned in the national anthem "Kimigayo."

45

Baba

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As a preliminary ritual to the Aoi Festival, the Kisha Yabusame Shinji (horseback archery ritual) is held every year on May 3rd.

46

Kamo Shrine Museum Hidehosha

(Special viewing)

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Materials related to the shrine are on display.

47

Former site of Jinguji Temple (special viewing)

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This is the remains of a temple that was located within Shimogamo Shrine.

48

Shrine office

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Please contact us if you have any questions about visiting the temple or if you would like to borrow a wheelchair.

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