Kifune Shrine (Kyoto Prefecture): How to Visit, When to Go and What It Costs
貴船神社 · Kifune Shrine · Kibune Shrine · 貴布祢神社 · 貴布禰神社
Kifune Shrine — Kyoto Prefecture
| Also known as | 貴船神社 · Kifune Shrine · Kibune Shrine · 貴布祢神社 · 貴布禰神社 |
| Region | Kyoto Prefecture, Japan |
| Coordinates | 35.121733, 135.762988 |
What it is
Kifune Shrine (貴船神社, Kifune Jinja) is a Shinto shrine located in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It sits in a forested mountain valley between Mount Kifune and Mount Kurama, with the Kifune River flowing in front of the shrine grounds. The Kifune River is considered a source of the Kamo River, which runs through central Kyoto.
The shrine enshrines Takakaonami-no-kami (高龗神), a water deity. It is the head shrine of around 2,000 water shrines across Japan and has long been worshipped for rain prayers. It is also worshipped as a deity of fire prevention and firefighting, and it attracts visitors praying for romantic connections as well as those performing the Ushi no toki mairi ritual (visiting during the "hour of the Ox").
The shrine is associated with the origin of ema (votive horse tablets): emperors historically offered horses (later painted wooden horse tablets) to pray for relief from drought or prolonged rain, a practice said to be the prototype of the ema custom. Drinking water from the shrine's spring is permitted. The surrounding area is one of Kyoto's known autumn foliage spots.
When to go
The area around the shrine is a well-known spot for autumn leaves, so autumn draws many visitors. The shrine grounds are set in a mountain valley, and the approach is lined with stone steps and lanterns. Allow roughly one to two hours to walk the grounds and the surrounding area.
Getting there
Kifune Shrine is located in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture. It is reached from central Kyoto, though specific transport details are not covered here.
What it costs
The source material does not list an admission fee for Kifune Shrine. Drinking water from the shrine spring is free to visitors.
Frequently asked questions
What deity is enshrined at Kifune Shrine?
The main deity is Takakaonami-no-kami (高龗神), a water deity. The shrine is the head shrine of roughly 2,000 water shrines in Japan.
What is the Ushi no toki mairi ritual?
It is a ritual of wearing candles on one's head and laying a curse at a shrine during the "hour of the Ox." The story of Hashihime (Princess of the Uji Bridge) learning this ritual from the resident deity of Kifune Shrine to turn herself into an oni demon is told in the Noh play Kanawa ("The Iron Crown").
Is the water at the shrine safe to drink?
Yes. The spring water comes from the Kifune River, which is considered the source of Kyoto's waterways, and drinking it is permitted.
What is the shrine's historical ranking?
From 1871 through 1946, Kifune Shrine was officially designated a Kanpei-chūsha (官幣中社), the second rank of government-supported shrines under the Modern system of ranked Shinto Shrines. It was also one of the 16 shrines to which Imperial messengers were first sent in 965 under Emperor Murakami.
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Reference: Wikidata · Wikipedia (ja) · Wikipedia (zh) · Wikipedia (en)