Heian-jingū Shrine

Heian-jingū is a stunningly beautiful and incredibly peaceful shrine right in the heart of Kyoto. The scale is impressive—from the towering vermilion torii gate to the bright orange main buildings—yet the atmosphere throughout the grounds is one of perfect serenity. We paid to enter the Shin'en Garden, and it was worth every yen. It's a masterpiece of landscape design, with winding paths, tranquil ponds (like the famous Soryu-ike), and picturesque bridges (including the Garyu-kyo). It was the most peaceful part of our visit, a world away from the city bustle just outside the walls. It's a perfect spot to slow down, breathe, and soak in the quiet beauty of Kyoto. As a relatively modern shrine built for the city's 1100th anniversary, it has a different, grander feel compared to Kyoto's ancient temples, but it's no less captivating. Everything is immaculately maintained, making it a wonderfully restorative and photogenic stop.

It’s a beautiful shrine, the free area was not that breathtaking but i imagine the paid area/park would be spectacular during spring or autumn (it was winter when i went). There are stalls infront of the shrine and you can get roasted sweet potatoes. There is also a playground/park close by where kids and dogs roll around :)

Heian Shrine is a spacious and well-organized site that offers a different atmosphere from Kyoto’s older temple complexes. The large vermilion torii gate and wide courtyard create a strong sense of openness, and the scale of the grounds is impressive without feeling overwhelming. The garden area is especially pleasant, with seasonal changes adding variety depending on when you visit. Even when there are many visitors, the layout allows people to move comfortably without feeling rushed. The shrine feels less intimate than smaller sites, but that openness is part of its appeal. Overall, Heian Shrine is an easy and accessible place to visit, suitable for a relaxed walk and for appreciating Kyoto’s more formal and structured side of history.

Beautiful shrine with a stunning garden (paid entry, but worth it for the scenery). We were lucky to catch a market happening outside which added to the vibe. Very convenient location too—there’s a Starbucks and a 7-Eleven right nearby if you need a quick break.

We visited this shrine and found it absolutely beautiful. We also paid to access the garden, which was incredibly peaceful and calm. It was such a lovely experience walking around the shrine grounds everything felt serene and well cared for. A perfect spot to slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of Kyoto.

It was so far the most beautiful and amazing shrine in Kyoto for us. In order to avoid the crowd, we visited it at 4.45pm, and we did not disappointed! No tour groups, no tourist flood, so we could slowly walk through the garden (which required an additional cost of JPY600pp), enjoyed the breeze, and admired the natural beauty. There were so many lovely corners in the garden. So mesmerizing, despite the main hall was still under restoration!!!

A giant temple with gardens to explore at an extra ticket for them. Well maintained and beautiful, vibrant colors. Gigantic torii gate in the park in front.

PSA: Visit the garden. That 600 yen fee was one of my best purchases. Out of all places I visited in Japan, Heian Jingu Garden is where I took the most photos. As for the main shrine itself, it was under renovation when I visited so I couldn't yap much about it. It was a weekday afternoon in late spring and I had the honor to experience the garden with no other soul in sight. It's either tourists are sleeping on this place, Kyoto overtourism is a hoax, or I slipped into a glitch on the matrix. Anyway, just look at the pictures and you'll understand why this place is dangerous. One minute longer and I might delude myself that I'm the main lead in an imperial drama, instead of the NPC.

Gayle and I came here as part of a day-long bus tour from our Cruise ship. I think we scratched the scratch of the surface of this ancient political and spiritual center, and we really do need to come back. Heian Jungu Shrine has a relatively short history, dating back just over a hundred years to 1895. The shrine was built on the occasion of the 1100th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto and is dedicated to the spirits of the first and last emperors who reigned from the city, Emperor Kammu (737-806) and Emperor Komei (1831-1867). Heian is the former name of Kyoto. A giant gate marks the approach to the shrine, around which there are a couple of museums. The actual shrine grounds themselves are very spacious with a wide open court at the center. The shrine's main buildings are a partial (and smaller) replica of the original Imperial Palace from the Heian Period. Behind the main buildings there is an attractive, paid garden with a variety of plants, ponds and buildings. The garden's most striking feature are its many weeping cherry trees, which bloom a few days later than most other cherry trees, making the garden one of the best cherry blossom spots in Kyoto around the tail end of the season, which is usually around mid April. Occasionally, the shrine's court is used for special events. Gayle and I even witnessed some pre-wedding preparations, including a radiant picture of the bride.

Heian Jingu Shrine is a famous sightseeing spot in Kyoto. The vermilion main building is very cool. I was fascinated by it. It's really cool. Also, the garden is huge and beautiful. We can get "Goshuin" (handwritten sign and stamp of shrines and temples) at here. If you want it, you should visit Goshuin office which is at both side by the entrance. "Goshuin" charges 300 yen. Details about Goshuin is below. http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html 平安神宮も京都の名所ですね。 朱色の建物はどれも豪華絢爛で心を捕らえられます。 思わず、ほぉ～、と唸ってしまう本社の佇まいに感激させられてしまいます。 また、巨大な庭園は見事の一言。 とにかく壮大で美しい神宮です。 なお、こちらの平安神宮でも御朱印が頂戴出来ます。 入口を入ったら両側に御朱印所がありますので、そちらで頂けます。 御朱印の初穂料は300円です。 御朱印については下記のリンク先にまとめてあります。 http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html

Heian Jingu Shrine is a Shinto shrine known for its vibrant colors and beautiful garden... Located in Kyoto, the construction of the Heian Jingu Shrine began in 1895. Two Emperors of Japan were deified here - Emperor Kanmu, the founder, and Emperor Komei, the last ruler. We were in awe of the buildings and the natural surroundings of the massive Garden. The stepping stones are open to cross the water at your own risk... haha!

Another iconic temple in Kyoto. Like many other temples in the Kyoto/Nara region, Heian (means peace or safety) Jingu has its historic significance, which visitors can learn about on site. A tour guide told me this place is the favorite of large tour groups from abroad, as well as many locals so be prepared to join the crowd. But if you can find a quieter day or if you can look beyond the crowd, the grounds surrounding the temple are covered by beautiful trees, and if you look patiently you may find a few unique photo scenes..... like the juxtaposition of dark green pine branches and the vermillion temple columns - scenes that are uniquely Japan but have been silently waiting for hundreds of years, for you, to capture them.

x4p* Heian Shrine Shinto shrine, vermillion torii gate Built with fen shei Animals depicting cardinal compass points White tiger - west Blue dragon - east Black snake/turtle - north Red phoenix - south Beautiful Shinen garden - bridge is where filmed "Memoirs of a Geisha" Admission

This peaceful temple is situated in the heart of Kyoto and can be seen from many vantage points throughout Kyoto, particularly the large red Torii gates at the perimeter. One particular thing is that during the peak season, you can find voluntary tour guides walking around that can offer free basic guides. There is also information available on site as well. Another thing, the garden is well-designed and is beautiful. The admission to the garden is 600 yen for adults, and 300 yen for children. No general entrance fee and the hours are 6 am to 530 pm, everyday.

Heian was one of my favorite shrines to visit while in Kyoto. Located right in the center of the city it is easy to get to. Not too crowded, there is many things too see in the large shrine.

One of the larger Shinto shrines in Japan, Heian Shrine is modeled to be the 2/3 scale of the original Imperial Palace complex back when Kyoto was the imperial capital. Even at the reduced scale, Heian Shrine is still a magnificent sight to behold, starting from the world's largest torii gate in front and the grand main hall in the end! The main shrine ground from the main gate to the main hall (Although the main hall interior is not accessible like other Shinto shrines) is free to access, but the garden nearby requires a 500 yen admission. I didn't go to the garden because I already spent a sizable amount of cash on temples so I don't know what the garden looked like, but I was glad to swing by to see this grand shrine! Located near the frequent route 100 bus stop and only a 10 minute walk by the Higashiyama subway station, Heian Station is a great quick sightseeing stop to see this Shinto grandeur as this will be the closest thing to the ancient Kyoto Imperial Palace you will see without using a time machine!

Huge grounds, and the torii gate out front is insanely massive. It's the biggest gate we saw during our stay in Japan.

An iconic feature of Kyoto. When you're done admiring the shrine itself, be sure to walk through the excellently maintained garden, as it's absolutely beautiful and is something you should not miss if you're visiting the city.

If you are going to Kyoto, yes, go to Kinkakuji and some of the other more popular temples. But don't miss out on Heian. The grounds for Heian are massive. The main gate and castle are visually stunning when you first arrive. Not to mention the massive Tori Gate that straddles the street. The inner gardens are not to be missed. This is something you want to take your time doing. The walk around the small lake/pond has numerous stunning photo opps. Our trip was in April and we were fortunate enough to be there during the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). There is no amount of words that can describe how pretty the gardens are during this period. We have been to Heian in other times of the year (Sept/Oct) and although very pretty. Nothing compares to when the Cherry trees are blooming. The walk around the lake area is very calming and everything is beautifully taken care of. As others indicate the temple is almost like any other temple, but the gardens are not to be missed. Don't get me wrong the temple is beautiful but the gardens are the understated winner. In our latest visit there, the only disappointment was that the stepping stones across the pond are no longer open. The stones are still in the water, but obviously people must have fallen in and so they are now blocked from access. Which is really sad as walking across the stones makes for fantastic photos. There is a small tea house setup around the pond, and it was wonderful to sit and look at the beauty while enjoying some tea. We were even fortunate enough to be able to take some photos with a family that was all dressed up in Kimono. Overall, I understand that there a number of different and amazing temples in Kyoto. If you come to Heian, (which I think you should), take time out to walk through the gardens. You will not be disappointed with this gem.

Ughhhhh!!!!!!!!!! I really want to go here!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I used a photo for my art project from here and I got an A!!!!!! It's too bad Japan is expensive rn :/ Please Pray that I will be able to afford to go to Japan really soon because this country is one of my top places to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A sand bar stretches when I pass through huge scarlet Torii (gate of a shrine). It is a beautiful and magnificent Shinto shrine which stands on a vast ground. Its green tiles and scarlet Torii against blue sky are brilliant in Kyoto city. This Shinto shrine which is the terminal of the procession of the Jidai Festival. The festival began to celebrate foundation of this shrine and 1100 year commemoration after Heiankyo was relocated as the capital of Japan. The garden attached to a Shinto shrine usually needs admission fees, but is open to public for free during the time of the cherry tree. This double cherry blossom matches red pillars, which brings spring to Kyoto gorgeously at a stretch. I can enjoy seasonal floras elsewhere in the Japanese garden surrounding the main shrine. Don't miss iris garden in June. There is the hall adjacent to the shrine, where many celebrities or ordinary couples hold a wedding ceremony here.