The Japanese manga series *Nurarihyon no Mago* by Hiroshi Shiibashi.
It was serialized in *Weekly Shonen Jump* in 2008 and became popular across all age groups as a shonen manga featuring yokai, didn't it?
In *Nurarihyon's Grandson: The Thousand-Year Demon Capital*, numerous locations in Kyoto appear as settings, making it a popular destination for pilgrimages to the show's filming locations.
So, in this post, I’d like to introduce the locations featured in *Nurarihyon’s Grandson: The Thousand-Year Demon Capital*.
If you're a fan of Nurarihyon's Grandson, you should definitely visit the shrines in Kyoto.
■ What is the plot of *Nurarihyon's Grandson: The Thousand-Year Demon Capital*?
Rikuo Nura, the grandson of the great yokai Nurarihyon, always finds himself caught up in the conflicts caused by the yokai.
However, it’s a story about becoming completely absorbed in growing the Nura-gumi, which my grandfather founded.
Here, let’s start by taking a look at the plot summary of *Nurarihyon’s Grandson: Sennen Makyo*.
Synopsis released from the official website
Rikuo Nura is a boy who carries the blood of Nurarihyon, the supreme commander of the yokai. As the third-generation heir to the “Nura-gumi,” the most powerful yokai clan in Eastern Japan, Rikuo has brought an end to the conflict with the Shikoku yokai—but now a new enemy, the Hagoromo Fox, stands in his way. A fierce battle begins against the Hagoromo Fox, who seeks to fulfill a long-held ambition dating back four hundred years!
■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital" 1. "Fushimi Inari Taisha"
Outline
Nurarihyon's grandson appears in manga and anime as "Fumeme Inari Shrine," based on Fushimi Inari Taisha.
In the anime, it appeared as the setting for the sealing in Episode 13 of *Nurarihyon's Grandson: Sennen Makyo*, didn't it?
Although the title features the entrance to the Thousand Torii Gates, it appears in the anime exactly as shown there.
If you compare them, you’ll see that the main hall, stone walls, shimenawa, and shidare have all been faithfully reproduced as well.
There’s also a famous “power spot” here where, if you lift the round stone (omokaru-ishi) placed on top of the lantern and it feels light, your wish will come true—so be sure to check it out.
The small torii gate that Kuroda-bō appeared through to help Awashima is also an exact replica.
○Detailed explanation of "Fushimi Inari Taisha".
Fushimi Inari Taisha, affectionately known as “Oinari-san,” has continued to be a focus of people’s faith for over 1,300 years.
Founded in the 4th year of the Wado era (711), this shrine is famous as the head shrine of the Inari shrines, of which there are said to be about 30,000 throughout the country.
It is popular among people of all ages—men and women alike—for its reputed benefits, such as prosperity in business and household safety, and many people visit on New Year’s Day.
The thousand torii gates, which also appear in anime, are quite impressive.
Address
68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City
Phone number
075-641-7331
How to access
About a 2-minute walk from Inari Station on the JR Nara Line
○Official homepage
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■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital" Part 2: "Katsura Imperial Villa"
Outline
Nurarihyon's grandson appears in the manga and anime as the "Pillar Palace," the seventh seal of Katsura Rikyu.
There were the gruesome corpses of Kyoto’s yokai here, and there was a scene where Yura and the others, upon arriving, were surprised by Kuroda-bou’s words that “this was the work of the Headless One,” wasn’t there?
When you visit Katsura Rikyu, you can see the very location that appears in the story as Katsura Rikyu.
However, since you can’t visit Katsura Rikyu without making a reservation in advance, please be sure to book your visit ahead of time.
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Katsura Rikyu”
Katsura Rikyu is an imperial facility located in Katsura, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City.
Including the gardens and other areas, the total area is approximately 69,000 square meters.
Considered the finest example of a Japanese garden, it is a beautiful and famous attraction.
The fall foliage is also popular, so it’s a good idea to visit around fall.
Address
Katsura Misono, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-211-1215
How to access
About a 20-minute walk from Katsura Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line
○Official homepage
https://kyoto-gosho.kunaicho.go.jp/katsura-rikyu
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■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital"—Part 3: "Ryōan-ji"
Outline
In the manga and anime, Ryōan-ji appears as “Ryūen-ji,” the sixth seal, and is the home of Nurarihyon’s grandson.
This place is revered as a sacred site where Kubunashi, Keishōki, and Ibaraki Dōji fought.
It’s possible that the kappa saved the headless man and the hairy courtesan and brought them to the pond on this property.
○Detailed description of "Ryoanji" temple
"Ryōan-ji," founded by Hosokawa Katsumoto in 1450.
It gained worldwide popularity following a visit by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
It is also listed as part of the World Heritage site “Cultural Properties of the Ancient Capital of Kyoto.”
Address
13 Ryōan-ji Goryōshita-chō, Ukyō-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-463-2216
How to access
A 7-minute walk from Ryōan-ji Station on the Keifuku Electric Railway
○Official homepage
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■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital"—Part 4: "Kiyomizu-dera Temple"
Outline
Nurarihyon's grandson appears in the manga and anime series, where Kiyomizu-dera Temple is depicted as "Kiyonaga-ji," the fifth seal.
You can get here by taking the Keihan Main Line to Kiyomizu-Gojo Station.
In *The Grandson of Nurarihyon*, Hanaka-in Haigo appears as the character who was killed by Lady Hagoromo.
It’s a location that often appears in other anime, such as *Rurouni Kenshin*, so it’s a must-see!
○Detailed explanation of "Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
Kiyomizu-dera, officially known as “Onwa-san Kiyomizu-dera,” is the head temple of the Hokuhōsō sect, located in Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto.
According to tradition, this temple was founded in 778—toward the end of the Nara period—by the monk Enchin, and the Buddha Hall was constructed here in the 17th year of the Enryaku era by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro.
There are many national treasures such as Niomon gate, three-story pagoda, Amida hall, etc. You can also see important cultural assets such as Niomon gate and Seimon gate.
Address
1-294 Shimizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-551-1234
How to access
Approx. 10 minutes walk from Gojozaka bus stop on Kyoto Bus Route 18 bound for Ohara.
○Official homepage
https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/
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■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital"—Part 5: "Nishi Hongan-ji"
Outline
In the manga and anime, Nura Ryohyon's grandson appears as "Saifuji-ji," the fourth seal, at Nishi-Hongan-ji.
This is a temple that embodies the spirit of Kyoto, with a calm atmosphere rather than a flashy one.
Locally, he is known as “O-Nishi-san.”
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Nishi Hongan-ji”
This is Ryukoku Hongan-ji, a temple that serves as the head temple of the Jodo Shinshu Hongan-ji School.
There are National Treasures such as the Mikage-dō, Amida-dō, and Hiyun-kaku, as well as Important Cultural Properties such as the Sutra Repository, the Drum Tower, and the Colored Portrait of Prince Shōtoku on Silk.
With so many events taking place, it’s always bustling with tourists.
Address
Honganji Monzen-cho, down Horikawa-dori from Hanayacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone number
075-371-5181
How to access
A few minutes' walk from the "Nishi-Honganji-mae" city bus stop
○Official homepage
■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital"—Part 6: "Rokuon-ji Temple"
Outline
Nurarihyon's grandson appears in the manga and anime as "Shikakin-ji," the third seal of Shukuen-ji.
Shikakin-ji Temple was the site of the decisive battle between Hagoromo-kitsune and Kyubi, the generals of the Allied Forces, and the three elite onmyōji of the Hanaka-in family, wasn't it?
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Rokuon-ji”
This place is known as Kinkaku-ji and is a temple of the Shōkoku-ji branch of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism.
Kinkakuji Temple dates back to the Kamakura period when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, took over the villa of Saionji no Kitsune and built Kitayama-den, a mountain villa.
Important cultural properties include a statue of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in color on silk, a standing wooden statue of Fudo Myoo, and paintings on the walls of the large drawing room.
Address
1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Phone number
075-461-0013
How to access
Get off at Kitaoji Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, take City Bus 205 from Kitaoji Bus Terminal, and get off at "Kinkakuji-michi" bus stop.
○Official homepage
https://www.shokoku-ji.jp/kinkakuji/
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■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital" 7. "Shokoku-ji Temple"
Outline
Nurarihyon's grandson appears in the manga and anime as "Shokoku-ji," the second seal, which is based on Shokoku-ji Temple.
This is where the Tsuchigumo was sealed away, and it’s also where Riku fought at night.
This must be the spot where Rikuo opened the shoji screen to help Tsurara and came inside.
○ A Detailed Explanation of “Shokoku-ji”
"Shokoku-ji," the head temple of the Shokoku-ji branch of the Rinzai school.
Its official name is Mannen-zan Shokoku Jōten Zen-ji.
This place was built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate.
The Dharma Hall is designated as an Important Cultural Property and is notable for being Japan’s oldest Dharma Hall.
Address
701 Shokoku-ji Monzen-cho, Imadegawa-dori, east of Karasuma, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Phone number
075-231-0301
How to access
Get off at Imadegawa Station on the Karasuma Subway Line; it's about a 5-minute walk from there.
○Official homepage
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■Nurarihyon's Grandson: A Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Kyoto, the "Millennium Demon Capital"—Part 8: "Nijo Castle"
Outline
Nurarihyon's grandson appears in manga and anime, with Nijo Castle serving as the first seal, "Nijo Castle."
Rikuo has reached the level where he can wear the Oni-Maki and fight the Tsuchigumo.
This is the spot where, at that time, the Hagoromo Fox and Nurarihyon reunited at Nijō Castle for the first time in 400 years.
Nurarihyon heads to Nijō Castle to settle the long-standing feud between the Nura Clan and the Hagoromo Fox, but this place is actually Nijō Castle, which has become a sacred site for Nurarihyon’s descendants.
○ A Detailed Explanation of "Nijo Castle"
Nijo Castle was built in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first shogun of the Edo shogunate, to serve as a residence for provincial governors and as a place for the shogun to stay during his visits to Kyoto.
A highlight of the site is the Karamon Gate, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is also designated as an Important Cultural Property.
Address
541 Nijojo-cho, Nijo-dori Horikawa Nishi-iru, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone number
075-841-0096
How to access
Just a short walk from the "Nijo-jo-mae" Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway
○Official homepage
https://nijo-jocastle.city.kyoto.lg.jp
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■ Summary
How was it?
In this post, I’ve compiled a list of the sacred sites in Kyoto featured in *Nurarihyon’s Grandson: The Thousand-Year Demon Capital*.
In *The Grandson of Nurarihyon*, many famous locations in Kyoto appear under slightly different names.
On a day when the weather is nice, why not go on a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of *Nurarihyon no Mago* in Kyoto?
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