Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Since prehistoric times Kamigamo-jinja has preserved and transmitted the legends relating to the birth of the shrine deity, Wakeikazuchi. Ancient rituals which transmit faith in the divine mountan, Kamo Sai also known as Aoi Matsuri which started during the reign of Emperor Kinmei in 544.

Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja is quite old. By the end of the 7th century, it already commanded considerable influence, and following the establishment of Heian-kyo, it attracted many worshippers among the aristocracy as a guardian shrine.

The shrine buildings existed in their present from by the beginning of the 11th century. They were reconstructed in 1628.

That restoration encompassed the entire shrine precinct, and was carried out with reference to historical records, paintings and sketches, so as to faithfully reproduce the shrine as it had existed in the Heian Period.

The Honden and Gonden are of the same size and shape, and are situated along the east-west axis. They are built in the nagare of "flowing" style, with kohai (prayer porticos) in front. The elongated front roof of nagare illustrates the ancient style of the Honden.

In addition to these structures, the shrine contains the Haiden (warship hall) and 33 other shrine buildings, all believed to date from the 1628 reconstruction, and all designated as Important Cultural Properties. They preserve the atmosphere of the ancient Shinto shrines.

This shrine was dedicated to the gods of rice and sake by the Hara family in the 8th. The shrine is the most popular shrine in Japan and the head shrine among about 40,000 Inari shine scattered around the country.

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