Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wake-ikazuchi Jinja)

History and Divine Virtue

Formally called Kamo Wake-ikazuchi Jinja, this is one of Kyoto's oldest shrines, standing on the upper reaches of the Kamo River. Its deity, Kamo Wake-ikazuchi no Ōkami, is said to have descended in the age of the gods upon Mount Koyama behind the main hall, and the shrine buildings are held to have been erected in 678, in the sixth year of Emperor Tenmu's reign. Revered by the imperial court as the tutelary shrine of the ancient Kamo clan, it has long been honored as the ichinomiya, or first shrine, of Yamashiro Province and a guardian of the capital. In keeping with the divine power of ikazuchi — thunder — it is deeply venerated for protection against misfortune and inauspicious directions. The entire precinct is registered as part of the World Heritage Site "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto," and the main hall and provisional hall are National Treasures. The pair of conical sand mounds before the Hosodono hall, the tatezuna, are said to represent Mount Koyama, where the deity descended. The Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival) in May, held jointly with Shimogamo Shrine, is one of Kyoto's three great festivals, and auxiliary shrines dot the spacious grounds — among them Katayama Miko Shrine (Kataoka-sha), famed for matchmaking, where Murasaki Shikibu is said to have worshipped.

Visiting Notes

• The tatezuna before the Hosodono are purifying sand mounds shaped after Mount Koyama — one of the defining sights of Kamigamo.
• The Nara-no-Ogawa stream flowing through the grounds appears in classical poetry of the summer purification rite. A stroll along its clear waters is a pleasure.
• The National Treasure main hall can be viewed at close range on a special visit (reception inside the tower gate).

Deities and Location

Enshrined Deities

Kamo Wake-ikazuchi no Ōkami

Location

京都府京都市北区上賀茂本山 (Kyoto)

Access

About a 15-minute walk from Kitayama Station on the Karasuma subway line, or directly outside the Kamigamo-jinja-mae city bus stop

Lineage

Purification & Renewal

Visiting hours, goshuin (shrine stamps), and festival dates change; please confirm the latest information through each shrine's official announcements. If you find an error in this entry, we would be grateful if you let us know.