Motoise Kono Jinja

Motoise Kono Jinja, or simply Kono Jinja, is an imperial shrine just north of a sand bar Amanohashidate in northern Kyoto Prefecture. The shrine was the original home of Toyo’uke Ômikami, the goddess of agriculture and the companion of Amaterasu Ômikami, sun goddess and matriarch of the imperial family. Toyo’uke Ômikami was moved from Kono Jinja to her current residence at Ise at Gekû.

For the casual: 3. For the educated: 4.

If your plan is to travel out of Kyoto or Osaka to see some of the most holy shrines in the country, you may as well make the trip to Ise to see the real ones instead of the holy sites where the gods USED to live. I’m aware that I’m being harsh, but I just don’t see a casual or an educated visitor making the trip to this shrine without being drawn by the far more enjoyable activities offered in the Amanohashidate area.

That being said, the shrine is nice and clean. It’s styled in the traditional architecture you’d see at Ise. The grounds were recently refurbished, so the stone baths are clean cut and bright, the gold leaf flickers in the sunlight, and the refreshing scent of cedar hangs in the air.

 

Amanohashidate Jinja

Located in the middle of Amanohashidate, a long sandbar dividing a bay in northern Kyoto Prefecture, this shrine of the same name is not only dedicated to the unique landmass, but also the heavenly bridge for which it’s named. It was said that the god Izanagi-no-kami would cross the bridge to heaven every day between the mortal world that he and his wife made, and the realms of heaven where his wife waited for him.

For the casual: 3. For the educated: 4.

There really isn’t much reason to visit this shrine despite the mythology it represents. It’s far from any real city, it’s not manned by any staff or priests, and it’s very small in size that despite standing in the middle of the trail along the sandbar, there’s still a chance to miss it. All of that being said, it’s very beautiful and has weathered very nicely. Dark wood, spots of moss, and shaded by gorgeous cypress trees bring out the natural beauty of the shrine.

 

Yuki Jinja

Located near the base of Kurama-san in northern Kyoto, this 8th century shrine was moved to its current location from the heart of the city. The shrine is dedicated to the god of the mountain and is known for the absolutely massive cedar tree which stands before its gates.

For the casual: 3. For the educated: 3.

To be honest, this shrine is very small and there isn’t much to see. Making the journey to this shrine is really a journey to visit Kurama-dera, the temple higher up on the mountain. In fact, Yuki Jinja is the first major stop along the climb to the temple, only a little ways past the tram. But for its small grounds and largely passable décor, Yuki Jinja is known for its fire festival on October 22nd of every year. The Kurama Fire Festival is a sight I have yet to see myself, but it looks amazing with people running truly enormous torches they carry, each one easily larger than the person carrying them. In recent years the festival has been cancelled due to the corona virus pandemic, but as of this post in early 2022, here’s to hoping it will happen this year.

 

Kashihara Jingû

Kashihara Jingû is a grand shrine complex on the south side of Nara Prefecture near the site of the first permanent capital of Japan established in the 6th century C.E. Though founded in 1889 by Emperor Meiji, the shrine is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan. Though Emperor Jimmu likely wasn’t a real person, he still represents the foundation of the Japanese monarchy, state, and nation. It was said that he established his throne where the shrine is built today, and to make it official, Emperor Meiji donated several buildings from the palace in Kyoto to serve the shrine, one of which is used at the Main Shrine Hall (Honden).

For the casual: 8. For the educated: 8.

There is no need to know the purpose of this shrine to enjoy its sprawling walkways, grand period-appropriate architecture, and thick woods. I would argue that it’s more beneficial to know that it’s to commemorate a major step forward in the development of early Japan, but I’m a nerd so I think that of everything. Bottom line is, this shrine in beautiful, it’s easy to enjoy and appreciate, and it’s easy to relax on a little stroll.

The streets are particularly packed for festivals, the festivities of New Years (hatsumôde) are the largest in the prefecture, but the path is so wide it doesn’t really affect you.