Summary
Shimogamo Shrine, formally Kamomioya Shrine (賀茂御祖神社), is one of Kyoto’s oldest shrines and a key guardian of the ancient capital. Standing at the junction of the Kamo and Takano Rivers, it is known for its twin National Treasure sanctuaries, the sacred Tadasu no Mori forest, and deep connections to the Aoi Matsuri (Kamo Festival).
Key Facts
- Province: Yamashiro (historical province); paired with Kamigamo Shrine as the province’s chief shrines.
- Enshrined Deities: Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto (賀茂建角身命, West Sanctuary) and Tamayorihime no Mikoto (玉依姫命, East Sanctuary).
- Founded / Legend: Ancient origins linked to the Kamo clan and myths of Tamayorihime conceiving a divine child after finding a crimson arrow in the Kamo River.
- Architecture: Twin honden in nagare-zukuri (流造); both are National Treasures surrounded by many Important Cultural Properties.
- World Heritage: Part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”
Ichinomiya Status in Yamashiro (Quick Note)
Shimogamo Shrine is regarded, together with Kamigamo Shrine, as the Ichinomiya (chief shrines) of Yamashiro Province. From ancient times the two Kamo shrines have protected Kyoto and the imperial capital, especially as guardians of the vital Kamo River area.
History in Brief
According to shrine tradition, Shimogamo Shrine originated from the ancient faith of the Kamo clan at the junction of the Kamo and Takano Rivers. Myths tell how Tamayorihime discovered a crimson arrow while purifying herself in the river, later giving birth to Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami. Archaeological finds in Tadasu no Mori show that people lived and performed rituals here from the Yayoi period. By the late 7th century, the shrine already held major festivals.
After Kyoto became the capital in 794, Shimogamo received strong imperial support and became central to state rituals such as the Aoi Matsuri. The Kamo Saio system, in which an imperial princess served the shrine, further elevated its status. The shrine continued ritual rebuilding practices over the centuries, and in 1994 was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Enshrined Deities
Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto is revered as a guiding deity of the Kamo clan, associated with protection, safe beginnings, and finding the right path. In some traditions he is linked with Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow that guided Emperor Jimmu.
Tamayorihime no Mikoto is revered as the mother of the thunder deity Kamo Wakeikazuchi. She is associated with protection for women, including matchmaking, fertility, and safe childbirth. Shrine tradition says she conceived the deity through a sacred crimson arrow linked to Kamo Taketsunumi — a key myth shared by the Kamo shrines.
The Kamo Shrines (Shimogamo & Kamigamo)
Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine are collectively known as the Kamo shrines of Kyoto. Shimogamo, located downstream, enshrines Kamo Taketsunumi no Mikoto and Tamayorihime no Mikoto. Kamigamo, upstream, enshrines their divine descendant Kamo Wakeikazuchi no Okami. Myths, rituals, and festivals such as the Aoi Matsuri link the two shrines, expressing a single Kamo faith that has protected Kyoto’s land, waters, and people since ancient times.
Etiquette
Please keep these simple manners in mind when visiting the shrine.
- Purify your hands and mouth at the temizuya (手水舎).
- Bow twice, clap twice, and bow once (ni-rei ni-hakushu ichi-rei).
- Keep quiet around the honden (本殿, main sanctuaries) and during rituals.
- Please refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking within the shrine grounds.
- Aerial drones are strictly prohibited without special permission.
- Photography may be restricted near sacred buildings. Please follow on-site signs.
Visitor Tips
- Walk the main approach through Tadasu no Mori (糺の森), an ancient forest with soft light and quiet paths.
- Visit Aioi Shrine (相生社), known for matchmaking prayers and its joined sacred tree.
- Stop by Kawai Shrine (河合神社) for beauty-related prayers and its unique mirror-shaped kagami ema.
- See Inoue Shrine (御手洗社) and Mitarai Pond (御手洗池), the site of the summer Foot-Soaking Ceremony and the origin of mitarashi dango.
- Kotosha (言社) has twelve small shrines dedicated to the zodiac animals. Many visitors pay respects at their birth-year shrine.
Photography may be restricted near sacred areas. Please follow on-site signs.
Omamori (Amulets)
Shimogamo Shrine offers a wide variety of omamori (お守り), including beautifully designed charms that are well known among visitors. Common omamori for protection, good fortune, travel safety, and family well-being are typically ¥1,000–¥2,000. Offerings are made as hatsuhoryo (初穂料). Shrine offices usually accept cash only.
You can find examples on the shrine’s official page: Omamori Page ↗
Festivals
Shimogamo Shrine holds many rituals through the year. The three below are especially well known.
- Aoi Matsuri (葵祭): May 15 — the grand Kamo Festival of Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shrines. A Heian-period style procession travels from Kyoto Imperial Palace through Shimogamo Shrine to Kamigamo Shrine, with participants decorated in hollyhock leaves.
- Mikage Festival (御蔭祭): Mid May — a ritual in which the kami is invited from Mt. Mikage to the shrine. An ancient-style procession and portable shrine travel between the mountain and Shimogamo Shrine, renewing the bond between the sacred mountain and the city.
- Mitarashi Festival (御手洗祭): Late July, usually around the Day of the Ox in midsummer — a summer Foot-Soaking Ceremony where visitors wade into the fresh water of Mitarai Pond with candles, praying for purification and good health.
How to Visit & Access
Shimogamo Shrine stands in Sakyo Ward, northern Kyoto, at the meeting point of the Kamo and Takano Rivers. It is within walking distance of Demachiyanagi Station and is also served by several Kyoto City Bus routes.
From central Kyoto, you can reach the shrine by bus from Kyoto Station, by subway and bus via Kitaoji, or by JR and Keihan line connections. For detailed route maps, please refer to the shrine’s official access guide: Official Access (English) ↗
- Address: 59 Shimogamo Izumigawacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto (Google Maps) ↗
- Nearest Station: Keihan / Eizan Demachiyanagi Station — about 10–12 minutes on foot through Tadasu no Mori.
- Hours: Grounds 6:00–17:00; Romon 6:30; omamori counters around 9:00.
- Official Site: Shimogamo Shrine (English) ↗
- Official Instagram: @kamomioyajinja ↗
Travel times are approximate and may vary by schedule. Hours may vary by season and events.
Nearby
- Kamigamo Shrine (Kamo Wakeikazuchi Shrine) — partner Kamo shrine and World Heritage site upstream along the Kamo River.
- Kamo River — pleasant riverside paths for walking and cycling toward central Kyoto.
- Kyoto Imperial Palace Area — historic gardens and former imperial residence, a few stops away by bus or train.
Support this Guide
Your support helps me continue writing and sharing shrine culture. Thank you for helping this project grow.
