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Heian Jingu Shrine

1100th Anniversary of Moving the Capital

Heian Jingu Shrine was built to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the move of the capital to Heian-kyo (Kyoto). Heian Jingu's Ootenmon and Daigokuden are scaled-down by five-eighths according to the buildings of the same name in Heian-kyo. There is also a shrine garden with seasonal blooms and wildlife.

Emperor Kanmu moved his capital to Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto City) in 794, starting the 400-year Heian Period in Japan. In 1895, to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the establishment of Heian-kyo, a shrine was built in Kyoto and named Heian Jingu Shrine 平安神宮, modeled after the Heian-kyo Imperial Palace. Heian Jingu Shrine is dedicated to Emperor Kanmu, the 50th emperor, and Emperor Komei, the last and 121st emperor of Heian-kyo.

Heian Jingu is located in the eastern part of Kyoto City, and a Giant Red Torii is the starting point of the shrine’s worship path. Inside Heian Jingu Shrine, there are Otenmon, the Main Gate 應天門, Daigokuden Hall 大極殿, Seiryu-ro (Blue Dragon Tower) 蒼龍楼 and Byakko-ro (White Tiger Tower) 白虎楼and other major hall were built in a reduced scale of five-eighths of the size of the buildings of the same name in Heian-kyō Daini. Daigokuden Hall, the main hall of Heian Jingu Shrine is 11 rooms wide and about 30 meters deep, making it one of the largest halls in Japan.

The Unique Blue Dragon Tower and the White Tiger Tower

On the periphery of the Heian Jingu Shrine, there is a 33,000-square-meter Heian Jingu Shrine Garden, which was designed by Jihei Ogawa VII, a renowned designer of modern Japanese gardens. The garden consists of four sections, and is filled with views of the four seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, irises in summer, red leaves in autumn, and snow in winter.