Besides the Kurama-dera Temple, Kifune Shrine (貴船神社) is another must-visit spot in the Kurama and Kibune area. Especially during the autumn foliage season, the shrine is extra stunning with the foliage’s vivid colors. During this part of the year, nighttime illumination takes place, making the atmosphere mysterious. In winter, the shrine gives a different impression when covered by snow. The stone lanterns are also lit on specific dates announced on the official website, attracting many photographers to capture the unique scene.
Table of Contents
- About Kifune Shrine
- The Origin of Ema (Ema Hasshō no Furusato, 絵馬発祥の社)
- Kifune Shrine’s Main Worship Hall: Hongū (本宮)
- Water Fortune Slip (水占いみくじ) at Kifune Shrine
- Kibune Shrine Yuinoyashiro (結社)
- Kibune Shrine Okumiya (奥宮)
- Kifune Shrine’s Opening Hours and Access Information
About Kifune Shrine
Kifune Shrine’s history is even richer than Kurama-dera Temple. Located upstream of Kyoto’s famous Kamo River (鴨川), it already appeared in Japanese historical documents 1,600 years ago. The shrine consists of three shrines – Hongū (本宮), Yuinoyashiro (結社), and Okumiya (奥宮).
The shrine has been worshiped as a god who has protected the water sources of Kyoto since ancient times.
The bus stop, Kibune (貴船), is around a 5-minute walk to the staircases leading to Hongū. This set of staircases is one of the best photo spots at Kifune Shrine, especially in autumn and winter.
From early to late November, the staircases are lit from sunset to 8:30 pm, so leaving the shrine after sunset is definitely recommended.
In winter, however, if you are after the fantastic Kifune Shrine nighttime snow scenery, you have to be either lucky or diligently check Kifune Shrine’s Website or social media posts diligently.
The winter light-up event is only on a Saturday when the snow accumulates on the staircases. Kifune Shrine will only announce whether the event is on at 3 pm on the day. Note that the light won’t be on for the entire night. So if you are keen, be here between 6 to 8 pm.
The Origin of Ema (Ema Hasshō no Furusato, 絵馬発祥の社)
Also known as the birthplace of “ema” (those wooden plates at Japanese shrines with pilgrims’ wishes written on the back), you will see statues of two beautiful horses on the ground of Hongū. Why two? Because since ancient times, horses played the messenger role in the ritual of praying for rain by successive Japanese emperors. Black horses were used when the land was too dry, and rain was needed. When people were after sunny days, white horses were used to deliver the prayers.
Eventually, instead of an actual horse, a picture of the horse was drawn on a wooden plaque, which became the prototype of the “ema” that we have today, helping us convey our wishes to god.
Immediately next to the horse statues, there is a resting area. From there, you can enjoy the scenery of the Kibune River (貴船川) and the surrounding nature. From mid to late November, the view is extra gorgeous because the leaves are colored yellow and red (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
There will even be lanterns set up along the river praying for prosperity!
Kifune Shrine’s Main Worship Hall: Hongū (本宮)
Hongū enshrines the god Takaokami no Kami (高龗神), who controls the supply of water. The worship hall was only rebuilt in 2005, so it seems new compared to the other buildings at the shrine.
Having the god who looks after water, you can also source some special goods, such as purifying lotion from the shrine’s office, as well as the normal omamori charms.
Water Fortune Slip (水占いみくじ) at Kifune Shrine
Another thing that you want to get for 200 yen is the shrine’s Water Fortune Slip. Even if you are like us and don’t normally draw fortune slips at shrines, this one is more fun to experience.
After getting your slip, head to Mizu-urayuniwa (水占齋庭), a pond dedicated to water fortune-telling. And float the fortune slip on the pond. Your fortune will soon show up!
And if you don’t read Japanese, don’t worry. Take out your phone and scan one of the QR codes on the slip, and you will be able to read your fortune in English (^_-)-☆.
Next to the worship hall, there is a fountain. While you will generally use the fountain to gargle and wash your hands, the spring coming out of this fountain is drinkable and is said to be the spring from the god (since the god – Takaokami no Kami controls the supply of water!).
If you don’t have a water bottle, you can buy Kifune Shrine’s original water container from the shrine’s office for 500 yen (nothing fancy, though). The water is deemed safe to drink. If you are worried, you can always boil it before drinking (^_-)-☆.
Kibune Shrine Yuinoyashiro (結社)
After around a 5-minute walk from Hongū, you will find Yuinoyashiro. It is a popular shrine to pray for a great relationship with your partners and others in your life.
If you walk too fast or pay too much attention to the river to your right, you can easily miss the staircases leading to Yuinoyashiro. You will only see the shrine’s torii gate after climbing the stairs.
If you are planning to make a wish at Yuinoyashiro, don’t forget to grab one of the Musubibumi (結び文) from Hongū’s shrine office. The same place where you get your water fortune slip.
Then, with your wishes written on the green Musubibumi slip, tie it to the designated area next to the worship hall. After you pay your respects, say what you come here for to the god.
Kibune Shrine Okumiya (奥宮)
If you hike for another 5 to 10 minutes from Yuinoyashiro, you will see the Okumiya of Kifune Shrine. This is where the main worship hall was located originally. Another thing worth mentioning is that Okumiya is the Divine Tree (相生の杉) at the left of the worship hall.
The two trees that are said to be 1,000 years old have their lower trunk merged into one. Normally, only trees of the same species become one, but here at Kifune Shrine Okumiya, it is a combination of cedar and maple!
This is why people come here to pray for a good relationship. If cedar and maple can grow together peacefully here, they are believed to have some spiritual power that can improve your relationship with your partner (^_-)-☆.
Kifune Shrine’s Opening Hours and Access Information
- Kifune Shrine is open from
- 6 am to 8 pm from May to November
- 6 am to 6 pm from December to April
- The shrine office is open from 9 am to 5 pm.
- It is a 5-minute hike from the bus stop, Kibune (貴船).
- Refer to our Kurama and Kibune Area for more information about how to get to Kurama and Kibune Area.
Explore Other Parts of the Kurama and Kibune Area
Mt. Kurama and Kibune, located in the northernmost part of Kyoto City, are where the locals head to when they want to escape the summer heat. Why? Because the best way to spend a summer day in Kyoto is to enjoy the Kawadoko (川床) cuisine at Kibune!
So, refer to our article on the Kurama and Kibune Area for more information of the must-go spots near Kifune Shrine!
Discover Other Hidden Gems in Kyoto
Kyoto, a prefecture filled with Buddhist temples, palaces, and Shinto shrines, is Japan’s cultural capital and has become a major tourist destination worldwide. But did you know that in addition to the capital city of Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture has a plethora of hidden gems off the beaten path?
For more off-the-beaten-path attractions, refer to our article on The Top Hidden Gems in Kyoto that Is Worth Visiting!
