Kyoto locals give you the lowdown!　4 hole-in-the-wall shrines and temples you can visit without crowds

When visiting Kyoto for sightseeing, the most important thing not to miss are the shrines and temples.
However, if you have been to Kyoto several times, you may sometimes avoid visiting famous temples and shrines because of the large number of people.
However, if you have come all the way here, you want to experience Kyoto in a relaxed atmosphere.
So this time, we will secretly tell you about some of the best shrines and temples in Kyoto that only the locals in Kyoto know about!
I want you to go there, even if you've been here many times, so please read to the end... ♪

Table of Contents

■Katsunenji Temple

■Toji-in

■Shinkumano Shrine

■Mikamiya Shrine

■ Summary

■Katsunenji Temple

Have you ever heard of Shonenji Temple in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto?
This temple was built in 1587 by Jouan Shonin and can be visited only when the temple gate is open.

What kind of temple is this special Shonenji and what are its highlights?

■What is Katsunenji Temple? About the history

Shonenji Temple is located about a 5-minute walk from Tambabashi Station on the Keihan Railway.
This temple of the Jodo sect was founded in 1587 by Sadayasu Shonin, to whom Oda Nobunaga was deeply devoted.

Oda Nobunaga committed suicide at Honnoji Temple and his eldest son Nobutada committed suicide at Oike Gosho (Imperial Palace) due to the Honnoji Incident.
Then, Jyoan Shonin was ordered by Emperor Shojincho to mourn the family of Nobunaga and Nobutada, and he received the Oike Gosho and founded the temple as Daiun-in Temple.
This was called Anyozan Shonenji Temple.

■Sights of Shonenji Temple

The temple is not open to visitors at all times, but only when the temple gate is open, and the precincts and Jizo Hall are free of charge.
So, what are the highlights of Katsunenji Temple?
Here is a summary of the highlights.

○Small Jizo statues

Right after entering the temple gate, you will see small Jizo statues. You will be healed when you see them, such as the one slightly hidden by hagi blossoms.

○○macromolecular acid

Those who know Katsunenji may have heard the term "kamashiki-san" at least once.
Kamashiki-san is called "Shindai Kamajikizoson," and it is said that Sadayasu Shonin was given Kamajikizoson by Oda Nobunaga, and that it is a substitute for a deceased person who suffered from boiling in a pot in hell, and that he himself would enter the boiling pot to suffer in place of the deceased.
The Jizo is a Jidai Jizoson that removes the suffering of those who suffer in hell and in this world, and leads them to happiness.
This has been deeply worshipped as "Kamashiki-san" since the Edo period.
As soon as you enter the temple grounds, you will see a Jizo hall behind a banner on your right that reads "Jidai-kama Jizo-son" (身代釜敷地蔵尊).

Lespedeza buergeri (species of bush clover)

Katsunenji Temple is also known locally as "Hagi Temple.
The precincts of the shrine are planted with about 100 bush clovers of more than 20 varieties, and the grounds are beautifully decorated with bush clovers from late summer to autumn.
Peering into Katsunenji from in front of the temple gate, one sees hagi (bush clovers) blooming as if falling all over the temple grounds.
The area around the Jizo-san is also filled with higanbana and hagi flowers, and the flowers covering the paving stones are quite beautiful.
You will also be able to see many flowers such as bush clovers, silver grass, higanbana, and hibiscuses.

○Tara Kannon

The Tara Kannon is said to have been given by Nobunaga Oda.
Tara Avalokitesvara is a Tibetan Buddhist image of a female deity who is said to have been born from the tears of Avalokitesvara and vowed to attain Buddhahood in the body of a woman.

Self-made Spiritual Image of King Yama

The statue is a mere 5.5 cm tall, a mere 1.8 cm in height.
It was self-engraved and given to Jishinbo Son'e by Yama during the reign of Taira no Kiyomori, and is characterized by its gentle, compassionate face.

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Facility Name:Shonenji Temple
Address: 521 Ishiya-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 3 minutes on foot from Tambabashi Station on the Keihan Main Line

HP:http://kamasikisan.wix.com/syonenji

■Toji-in

Toji-in Temple is located in Toji-in Kita-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto City.
A temple of the Tenryuji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism, it was built by Ashikaga Takauji in 1341 and is famous as his grave site.

Although the temple is small and secluded, there are many things to see at least once, including a large Daruma painting by Daruma Daishi and a Japanese garden.

What is Toji-in?

The name of Toji-in Temple is Mannensan and the main deity is Shakyamuni Buddha.

Located in Kita-ku, Kyoto, it was built by Ashikaga Takauji in 1341.
Ashikaga Takauji was born in 1305 and was a military commander active from the Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period. He rose to prominence during the Muromachi period in Kyoto and left his mark as the first barbarian general.

Toji-in Temple is also known as the family temple of Ashikaga Takauji, the ancestral grave of his ancestors.

■The origin of Toji-in's name

Founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1341 with Mumuso Kokushi of Tenryuji Temple as the founder.
Originally a branch temple of Toji Temple, which was built on the site of the residence of the Muromachi Shogunate when it was founded, Toji Temple in the Oshikoji-Takakura area was called "Minamidera" and Toji-in was called "Hokidera.

Then, after the death of Ashikaga Takauji in 1358, it was called Toji-in, derived from his legal name.

Devastated by the Onin War in 1467, the temple was rebuilt by merging the main temple, Tojiji Temple, with Toji-in Temple.
From there, too, it was severely damaged by fire and war, but it has been rebuilt and continues to be passed down.

■History of Tojiin

Toji-in Temple in Kyoto began when it was opened in 4 Rekiou 4 by order of Ashikaga Takauji, the first barbarian general of the Muromachi Shogunate.
Some halls were destroyed by fire during the Onin War and other events, but history continues as Hideyori Hideyoshi, son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, had them restored.

Many films were shot here during the Taisho period by Shozo Makino, Japan's first film director, and a bronze statue of him was erected. Today, the temple is dedicated to the Ashikaga family and is one of the most important temples in Kyoto.

■Highlight of Toji-in Temple

The following are some of the highlights of Toji-in Temple. Please take a look when you visit.

circle of acquaintance

It was built in 1616 by Masanori Fukushima at Kaifukuin of Myoshinji Temple and has been relocated.
The building has a sense of history, and the garden in front of it offers a seasonal view.
The sliding door paintings are also a highlight here, and are said to be the work of Kano Kohichi, a painter active in the Azuchi-Momoyama period.
Photographing is basically prohibited, so be sure to capture it in your eyes and keep it as a memory.

Bodhidharma

The "Daruma-zu" is a must-see at Toji-in Temple.
Entering the temple grounds, visitors will find a very large Daruma painting by Sekibokuo, a Rinzai sect priest.
This Daruma painting depicts Daruma Taishi, the founder of the Chinese Zen sect.

○Garden

This garden is said to have been created by the Japanese Zen master Yumuso Kokushi. Carp swim in the pond, and the rich natural setting is quite elegant.
It is a popular spot where visitors can especially appreciate the changing seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter.
More than 50 trees have been planted, and the reflections of various landscapes on the pond are very beautiful.

○Reikouden

Reikouden," a wooden structure of successive Ashikaga shoguns, is lined up in a row.
In the center of the temple, there is a powerful statue of Riun Jizo, a Buddhist image that was a Buddhist prayer offering for Ashikaga Takauji.

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Facility Name:Toji-in (temple in Kyoto)
Address: 63 Tojiin Kitamachi, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 5 minutes walk from "Tojiin/Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus-mae Station" of Keifuku Electric Railway Kitano Line

HP:https://toujiin.jp/

■Shinkumano Shrine（Imakuma Shrine)

Shin-Kumano Shrine is located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.
The shrine was built by Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and there are many attractions within its precincts, including a motif of yatagarasu (a crow), the sacred bird, and a magnificent 900-year-old tree.

What is Shin-Kumano Shrine?

Shin-Kumano Shrine is located along Higashioji-dori, a street running along the foot of Higashiyama, where many historic temples and shrines are located.
Emperor Go-Shirakawa made pilgrimages to Kumano 34 times during his lifetime, and had earth, sand, and lumber brought from Kishu to build the "New Kumano Shrine" so that he could make pilgrimages without having to go to Kumano, which is far from the capital.
In addition to Shinkumano Shrine, Emperor Go-Shirakawa also built Sanjusangendo and other shrines, and it is said that Taira no Kiyomori was also involved in the construction of Shinkumano Shrine.

■Origin of the New Kumano Shrine

Together with Kumano Shrine and Kumano Wakaoji Shrine, Shin-Kumano Shrine in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto is known as the "Kyoto San-Kumano Shrine.
The name "New Kumano" is written "Shin-Kumano" because Kumano in Kishu was called old (=furui) and Kumano in Kyoto was called new (=now).

■History and benefits of Shinkumano Shrine

History of Shin-Kumano Shrine

Shin-Kumano Shrine was built in Kyoto in 1160 by Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who was 34 years old at the time, under the order of Taira no Kiyomori.
Emperor Go-Shirakawa made the area around Ho-ju-ji Temple in present-day Higashiyama-ku his residence.
Shin-Kumano Shrine was built as its Shinto shrine, and Sanjusangendo was built as its Jingoji Temple.
It is thereby famous as a place associated with Emperor Go-Shirakawa and Taira no Kiyomori.
At Shin-Kumano Shrine, there is a large camphor tree that is said to have been planted by Emperor Go-Shirakawa.

○Benefits of the New Kumano Shrine

Shin-Kumano Shrine is said to bring blessings for "good health and longevity," "banishment of illness," and "improvement in one's craft.
Since the Heian period (794-1185), it has also become famous as a god of safe childbirth, and it is said that if you rub the tree while making a wish, various wishes will be fulfilled.

■New Kumano Shrine Highlights and Features

XX Big camphor tree

A large camphor tree is located in the eastern part of the precincts of Shin-Kumano Shrine.
This can be seen from Higashioji Dori and was brought from Kumano, Kishu when the new Kumano Shrine was built, and is said to have been hand-planted by Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
The tree is approximately 900 years old and has a divine atmosphere.

○○ Seasonal views for each season.

Shin-Kumano Shrine offers beautiful scenery with cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall.
If you want to feel the elegant townscape and atmosphere of Kyoto, a stroll in the Higashiyama area, including the Shin-Kumano Shrine, is recommended.

Cradle of Nohgaku

It is said that father and son Kan'ami and Zeami, the founders of Noh, impressed Ashikaga Yoshimitsu by performing the Shinkumano Shinji Noh play, and that is why Shinkumano Shrine is said to be the birthplace of Noh.
There is also a monument on the grounds that reads "Noh," so be sure to take a look.

Nagi (nagi), a sacred nagi tree

Shin-Kumano Shrine has sacred nagi (nagi) trees on either side of the main shrine.
The nagi (nagi means "nagi" in Japanese) is said to ward off misfortune and is also famous as a matchmaking tree because its leaves do not break easily.

Yatagarasu, the sacred raven

Yatagarasu (three-legged crow) appears in Japanese mythology. Yatagarasu is said to be a crow that leads to victory, and ball game enthusiasts also visit.

■Reviews of Shin-Kumano Shrine

It took me about 10 minutes to get there on foot from Keihan Tofukuji Temple. Getting off at Tofukuji tends to end with a visit only to Tofukuji or Sennyuji, but you should stop by the Shin-Kumano Shrine here.
Shin-Kumano Shrine is a very solemn and calming shrine. It is recommended, less than a 10-minute walk from Sanjusangendo and Houjyuji Temple.
There is a legend about the Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and a large camphor tree planted by his own hand was magnificent.
The sacred tree, which is more than 900 years old, was amazing on a scale beyond my imagination.
The aura of the large, dense trees is truly divine. I would like to come back for a shrine tour.
As the name Kumano implies, Yatagarasu is the guardian deity. The red seal is a "crow character" and a wonderful memory.
The Kumano Shrine in Kishu is old (old times), and Kyoto is new (now), so it is called the New Kumano Shrine. I was impressed.
I went there on a tour of 16 shrines in Kyoto. It was a fantastic atmosphere.
The camphor tree was very powerful. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger even now.
I visited the shrine because it is said to be the god of sickness and stomach, and is said to have various benefits. It was lovely.

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Facility Name:New Kumano Shrine
Address: 42, Imakumano-Naginomori-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: about 3 minutes on foot from Imakumano bus stop on City Bus No. 208

HP:http://imakumanojinja.or.jp/index.html

■Mikamiya Shrine(Gokoumiyami-jinja Shrine)

Mikamiya Shrine is located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto.
The deities of the shrine include Empress Jingu, Emperor Chuai, and Emperor Ojin.

It has many attractions such as Gokousui, selected as one of the 100 best waters, and the Omote-mon gate, an important cultural asset, and has long been a familiar place in the Fushimi area.

The beautiful carvings in the hall of worship and the main shrine, which is also designated as a national important cultural property, are popular among tourists, and the local area is famous for its "Onkosui," which has been selected as one of the 100 best waters.

The date of establishment is unknown, but it is said that Yorinobu Tokugawa, Yorifusa, and Yoshinao used the perfume as a birthwater.

■History of Mikamiya Shrine

Mikamiya Shrine was originally called Gomoro Shrine, but it is not known when it was built.

In 862, water gushed forth from the precincts of Mikamiya Shrine, and Emperor Seiwa, who heard that if he drank the water, he would be "cured of his illness," named the shrine Mikamiya.
This water was selected as one of the 100 best waters, and many visitors still come to the temple for the water.

When Toyotomi Hideyoshi built Fushimi Castle, it was moved to the site to protect the castle's demon gate, but Tokugawa Ieyasu moved it back to its original location in 1605.

On January 27, 1868, the "Battle of Toba-Fushimi" took place, and the Fushimi area was engulfed in a fierce battle, with town houses and other structures heavily damaged.

Although Mikamiya Shrine fortunately escaped the ravages of war because of its location higher than the Fushimi Magistrate's Office, burnt and discolored handbasins and other objects still remain on the shrine grounds.

■Mikamiya Shrine Highlights

○Otorii

The Otorii (Grand Gate) stands tall on the road.
It towers majestically and cars pass through it. Please take a look at it as it is located on Otesuji Street leading to the ruins of Fushimi Castle.

○Omote-mon Gate

The gate was donated by Yorifusa Tokugawa. You can pass through it when entering the temple grounds.

○Worship Hall

The worship hall is famous for its gorgeous carvings. It is decorated in blue, a color that is probably rare for shrines.

nymphomaniac

This spring water has been selected as one of the 100 best waters. It is said that the water gushed out during the Heian period (794-1192), and people who drank it were cured of their illnesses.
The locals who live in Fushimi bottle that water and take it home.

Ema Hall

It is a place to hold up ema (votive picture tablet), but the highlight is that there are also ema with unique Japanese mathematical formulas written on them, called "arithmetic tablets.

○Noh Stage

The stage where Gokonomiya Shinto Noh plays are performed.

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Facility Name:Mikamiya Shrine
Address: 174 Gokamiya-monzen-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access: 5 minutes walk from "Fushimi Momoyama Station" of Keihan Railway.

HP:https://gokounomiya.kyoto.jp/

■ Summary

This time, we focused on places in Kyoto that are not very famous tourist temples, but are closely associated with people and events that are always mentioned in history textbooks.
All of the spots are worth seeing and are perfect for an in-depth tour.
Some places can only be viewed on special dates and times, so if you are interested in going out, please check the official website in advance.