A famous Shinto shrine featuring an excellent garden
Heian-jingu was built in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto in 1895, on the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital from Nara to Kyoto. Kyoto prospered as the capital for more than 1,000 years until the modern government moved it to Tokyo upon the termination of rule by the samurai class. The transfer of the capital in 1868 caused a decline in the prosperity of Kyoto, but, the people of Kyoto united to revitalize the city and built Heian-jingu. Emperor Komei (the last emperor of the period during which the capital was situated in Kyoto) was enshrined jointly here with Emperor Kanmu in 1940. Buildings such as the red-painted Byakko-ro (White Tiger Tower) of the Heian-jingu Shrine.
The Shin-en Garden
The Shin-en, the 30,000 square meter round-the-pond garden is divided into four different gardens which are inhabited by large varieties of birds, from kingfishers to large falcons. The most impressive sight to see in the garden is the spring cherry blossoms. Visitors can also enjoy irises in summer, and gorgeous pond views from the roofed Taihei-kaku Bridge.
Late blooming cherry blossoms can be seen
Large numbers of weeping cherry trees (yaebeni shidare) stand in the garden of Heian Shrine. It makes here one of the best spots to see weeping cherry trees in Kyoto. The trees here reach full bloom a few days after the other cherry trees.
This famous cherry blossom spot has appeared in the famous novel “Sasameyuki” written by Junichiro Tanizaki. The illumination event is held during the cherry blossom season.
Otorii
Heian-jingu Shrine is also famous for “Otorii”, a gigantic red front torii gate. Measuring 24.4-meter tall torii gate is straddling on the Heian Shrine’s approach. It draws visitors into Okazaki Park to the shrine’s impressive vermilion Otemon Gate. this torii gate was the largest in the country when it was built, and remains the tallest in Kyoto.
Heian-Jingu Shrine（平安神宮）
Address : 97 Okazaki, Nishi-Tennou-cho,Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
Access : 10 minute walk from Higashiyama station on the subway.
Bus : Take a bus no.5 or no.100 from JR Kyoto station to Kyoto-Kaikan Bijyutukan.
Hours : Open through the year
Admission : 600yen
Benefit : Keep evil away, Family protection,
Events
Setsubun Festival
FEB 3 : Setsubun festivals is, to drive away those evil spirits and celebrate the new spring season. Priests and Geisha, Maiko throw lucky beans to the visitors. You can catch them if you are lucky. The impressive fire ritual takes place at the end of the festival.
Sakura Viewing Boat Ride
SPRING : 25-minute boat cruise while celebrating spring greenery and cherry blossoms.
Okazaki canal is located just outside of Heian-jingu Shrine. The canal connects the Lake Biwa canal network with Kamogawa river. Cherry trees line the canal along Reisen street and run all the way out to Nanzen-ji Temple. A view of a large red torii gate from the boat, over cherry blossom is amazing.
Jidai Matsuri Festival/ 時代祭り
OCT : A festival held at the Heian Jingu Shrine, the Jidai Matsuri is one of the three largest festivals of Kyoto. The highlight of the festival is the Jidai Gyoretsu (Historic Pageant): a mikoshi (a portable shrine) and a suite of some 2,000 people dressed in costumes representing various eras of Kyoto’s 1,200-year history parade through the city.