Yasaka Shrine
Yasaka Shrine © User: Bgabel at wikivoyage shared, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yasaka Jinja Shrine八坂神社

According to the shrine's historical records, the origins of Yasaka Jinja Shrine can be traced back to the year 656 during the Asuka Era, which was the second year of Empress Saimei's reign. It is said that the spirit of Susanoo-no-mikoto was brought to this location by Irishi, an envoy from Korea.

Additionally, in the Jogan Era of 876, a Buddhist priest named Ennyo, hailing from Nara Prefecture, constructed a temple in the area and enshrined Susanoo-no-mikoto as the guardian deity of the region. Within the main sanctuary of Yasaka Jinja Shrine, the central deity is Susanoo-no-mikoto, renowned for his heroic feat of defeating the eight-headed serpent, Yamata-no-orochi. Furthermore, the main sanctuary also enshrines Kushiinadahime-no-mikoto, the wife of Susanoo-no-mikoto, along with their children Yahashira-no-mikoto.

In a significant development on December 23, 2020, the main hall of the shrine was designated as a National Treasure.

Address

625 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0073, Japan

Getting There

  • 4 minutes walk from Gion (祇園(バス))

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