4 temples in Kyoto to visit at the beginning of the year

Kyoto is home to many historic temples, which attract many visitors to perform the custom of hatsumode - a visit and prayer at shrines during the New Year.

Heian Jingu Shrine

Heian Jingu Shrine is a popular New Year's sightseeing spot, built to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the move of the capital to Heian (now Kyoto) in 794.

Kyoto residents visit Heian Jingu Shrine to pray for success in their studies, prosperity in business, and luck in love. Visitors can also get amulets and auspicious items such as sacred arrows and zodiac wooden blocks. Since New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are usually crowded, it is best to visit the shrine the following day.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine - a World Cultural Heritage, is the main shrine of 32,000 Inari shrines located throughout Japan, and is a Shinto shrine - the god of agriculture and business. Therefore, this place attracts most of the business guests to pray.

This stunning mountain shrine complex is famous for its thousands of vermillion “torii” gates – the entrances to sacred Shinto shrines – that line the 4.2km main path, creating a surreal, tunnel-like passage. Visitors can also find fox statues and souvenirs around the shrine, as foxes are considered messengers of the Shinto religion Inari. Visitors can write their wishes and draw fox faces on tokens to express their wishes.

Shimogamo Shrine

Shimogamo Shrine is one of Kyoto’s top shrines and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its blessings, matchmaking and safe childbirth, Shimogamo Shrine is a popular destination for couples and families. Visitors can also get cute lace amulets to carry with them.

Kifune Shrine

Kifune Shrine is the main shrine of over 2,000 shrines dedicated to water deities across Japan. Many young couples visit the shrine to pray for love, hoping to find their “other half”. Because it is located in a mountainous area, Kifune Shrine often experiences snowfall on New Year’s Eve and the first three days of the year, so visitors should remember to dress warmly when visiting.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/4-ngoi-den-o-kyoto-nen-ghe-dau-nam-693326.html