Kifune Shrine, located in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, is the head shrine of about 500 Kifune shrines throughout Japan, with its impressive stone steps and rows of red lanterns.
About Kibune Shrine
Main shrine of Kifune Shrine
Although the period of the shrine’s founding is not clearly known, it has a long history as evidenced by the fact that the shrine building was reconstructed approximately 1,300 years ago.
Kifune Shrine enshrines the god of water, Takaokami-no-Kami, and is known as a power spot, offering blessings such as “Fortune and Prosperity,” “Matchmaking”, and “Wish Fulfillment.
The shrine has three shrines: Hongu, Yui no Yashiro, and Okumiya.
Rear shrine of Kifune Shrine
- Hongu (Main Shrine): The main shrine was moved to its present location after the Okumiya shrine was damaged by the flood. The stone wall in front of the shrine is filled with spring water from Mt. Kibune, and the shrine is known for “mizuyu mikuji,” or fortune-telling by floating a written omikuji in the water.
- Yui no Yashiro: As the central shrine, this shrine is famous for matchmaking. It enshrines the deity Iwanaga-hime-no-mikoto, who is believed to be the god of marriage and matchmaking.
- Okumiya Shrine (Rear Shrine): This is the place where Kibune Shrine was founded and is a sacred place. Although you cannot actually see it, there is a large hole called “Ryuuketsu” (a passage through which the energy of the earth flows.
And “Ryuu” means dragon in Japanese.) directly below the main shrine.
Riverbed(Kawadoko) at Kibune
Riverbed called Kawadoko
The Kibune area is also called “Kyoto’s backcountry” because it is located in a secluded part of Kyoto.
The temperature is nearly 10 degrees cooler than in downtown Kyoto, making it one of the city’s most popular summer resorts.
In summer, “Kawadoko”(riverbed restaurant) appear on the Kibune River that flows nearby, where visitors can enjoy their meals.
INFORMATION
NAME
Kifune Shrine (貴船神社)
BUSINESS DAY
Every day
ADMISSION
Free
ADDRESS
180, Kurama kibunecho, Sakyo-ku Kyoto City , Kyoto 601-1112
ACCESS
5-minute walk from the bus stop Kibune. 30-minute walk from Kibuneguchi station.
STATION INFO
(Eizan Railway) Kibuneguchi station
Kurama Line
Kibune (bus stop)
Kyoto Bus
LINK