Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
4
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Nishijin District
A district with a long textile heritage, ancient Kyoto is still alive in the Nishijin District. Studded with its weaving factories, tea houses, and onsen, the neighborhood is charming and peaceful with a self-possessed air. Less traveled than other parts of the city, it is a district where you can take it at your own pace. Visitors can explore the many weaving and cloth houses, the free kimono shows, and the many shops selling traditional clothing and goods. Showcasing architecture with sloping roofs and wooden reliefs dating to decades past, the streets in the Nishijin District transport you back in time, making them a joy to wander.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles1,060 reviews
Excellent
396
Very good
537
Average
122
Poor
4
Terrible
1

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ScribblingGeek
Singapore628 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Solo
I visited on a Saturday when there was a marketplace and a special swords exhibition, and thought the visit was worth the rather dreary ride from Kyoto Station.

There’s not a lot to see, to be honest, even with the marketplace and exhibitions. But the ambience is lively and you get a slice of the Japanese social and spiritual landscape. For mythology fans, one of the most famous legendary swords in Japanese mythology is also here, and that was the exhibition I came to see.

Nice neighbourhood surrounding the shrine, too. You can also walk to one of the Randen terminus where a short ride will bring you to Arashiyama.
Written 27 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

お遍路さんアキラ
Kyoto, Japan23,763 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Friends
It is famous as the god of learning. I had an invitation ticket to the Treasure Hall and Momiji Garden, so I went with a friend. The Treasure Hall was 1,000 yen for adults. There were various swords and treasures on display. Momiji Garden was also 500 yen for adults, and it was nice to be able to see the beautiful new greenery.
Google
Written 17 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

カープ坊主
Kyoto, Japan1,006 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Solo
There is a private parking lot for Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, which is convenient for those who are sightseeing by car.
Nighttime illuminations during the autumn foliage season!
Personally, I think it is the best in Kyoto.
600 yen for 60 minutes. There is a pre-payment machine inside the shrine with an automatic license plate reader.
As of October 29, 2023, is it about two weeks until the autumn foliage season?
I think the best time to see the autumn leaves is mid-November.
Google
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kouasami
Suita, Japan843 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
It was bustling as it was during the consecutive holidays and exam season.
The spacious grounds were not overly crowded and the atmosphere was lively, making it a pleasant visit.

I also strolled through the plum garden, where the plum blossoms were about 70% in bloom and I was able to enjoy the pretty flowers and buds.

I was a bit shocked to find that there was a fee for parking, but I headed home in a clear mind.
Google
Written 10 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

singinggigi
California2,100 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I visited Kitano Tenmangu on February 25 and attended the Bakasai ( Plum Flower Festival). I bought a combination ticket and the admission included entry to Treasure Hall and the tea ceremony. This big tea ceremony, also known as Nodate Daichakai, was carried out in a big white tent. Matcha or green tea was prepared by a number of different geishas and maikos. Then tea would be served to the people who held the admission tickets. It was a unique and interesting experience to see such a big number of real geishas in person. This annual tea ceremony is a long standing tradition and it always falls on Feb 25 of each year. This also coincides with ume or plum blossom. Kitano Tenmangu is also famous for its ume or plum garden. I had to visit the Treasure Hall and unfortunately did not have time for the garden. However, ume or plum trees inside Kitano Tenmangu were all blooming and were in different shapes of pretty pink.
Treasure Hall holds an exhibit of kabuto or armors, samurai knives, different paintings and scrolls. I was very pleased to see how good the condition of a big bronze mirror was. The back of the mirror had an engraved map of Japan.
There is a regular flea market on the 25th of every month right outside Kitano Tenmangu. Great place to try takoyaki ( octopus balls), okonomiyaki, japanese sweets and people watch.
Students and college prospects come to Kitano Tenmangu to pray for their academic successes.
Kitano Tenmangu is definitely a great place to go to enrich the japanese cultural experience.
Written 8 March 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hawran
Victoria, Canada2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I've lived in Kyoto for a total of more than 5 years, though not now. One thing I tried never to miss was the monthly fair at Kitano. The shrine is always an interesting place, but on the 25th of each month there is a major fair. The flea market fills the shrine itself (a fairly large area) and spreads out a little into the surrounding area. In addition, this is the time when many people come to worship, so the the inner parts of the shrine are full of people casting fortunes and tossing coins into the big bins. There is a large statue of an ox that people rub, before rubbing some of its acquired strength onto their aches and pains. The parts that some elderly gentlemen rub leave you not knowing whether to laugh or to cry. Out in the flea market, in addition to all sorts of old clothes and collectibles, there are practical things for sale and of course food stalls. In the winter, be sure to stop and have a snack on oden (various kinds of fishcake, radish, hard-boiled eggs, etc., heated in a hot broth and served with a dash of hot mustard). One of the highlights is the large packages of sabazushi sold by ladies who bring it down from the Japan sea coast to the north. It's not cheap, but it will put all other saba you have ever eaten to shame. Look for them near the gate between the inner shrine and the flea market area.
Written 3 August 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah88HongKong
Hong Kong, China192 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The flea market is, as mentioned by a an advisor previously below, a must to visit. The prices of goods are actually lower than the shops in downtown. There is also an old street in the middle of the market where there are traditional restaurants. They will have special offer during that day.
Written 30 November 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarah C
Winnipeg, Canada28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Couples
On the 25th of each month a flea market occurs on the premises. A hundred or so stalls containing food (takoyaki, karaage, grilled corn, sweet potato, okonomiyaki, yakisoba and more) and second hand kimono/yukata, antiques and tableware. We had a blast. Make sure you bring plenty of cash or you will regret it!

I bought two beautiful antique obi for astonishingly cheap, plates, wooden serving ware for the table, and kabuki masks.

Make sure you try the food, it was awesome.

We also meandered around the temple grounds, which were beautiful. It was a bit crowded with school kids, but it was hardly an issue.

If you are in Kyoto on the 25th of a given month, coming to this market is a must. So much treasure to be found. From Kyoto Ekimae bus station take the bus number 50 or 101, which will drop you right at the gate. Not to be missed.
Written 25 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KyotoBound
Vancouver, Canada55 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2011 • Friends
This Shinto experience, dedicated as it is to the power of education, is a handsome example of the balance that comes from asymmetry design as practiced so perfectly in Japan. The friendly flea market held on each 25th of the month (where we had a remarkable Christmas flea market fest) is exceptional, brilliantly culinary and brilliantly brimming with antique treasures of the kind so popular in Kyoto. From kimono to tea kettles or sake heating pots, from very old scrolls to modern "seconds" tea bowls and cups, their is never a dull moment. Easy to bargain. Easy to smile and take spectacular photos. During the best moments there are people mingling with market venders and the buying public who dress up in ensembles resembling the best kabuki costumes you will see in either kabuki or butoh. Look these people in the eye and smile . . . . . you could be allowed to take a memorable photograph. Some of the best bargains are found here and some of the best moments of contemplative solemnity. It is not Buddhist, but it is deeply Shinto, something to broaden the experience of Japan. If you find this review helpful, please give it a helpful vote. Thanks!
Written 22 September 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DannyJane
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2020
Our guide told us that when he was a student he came to this shrine to pray he'd pass his exams. He said that the cows gave learning and that they could also heal. My back was hurting that day so under his guidance I went to the colorful cow and placed my hand on the approximate part of her body and then on the place where I was hurting. The pain went away entirely.

I gave my profound thanks and then went to the black one because I had an urgent reason to ask for a big favor. Before we left home my daughter had had a post-operative accident that left her sight in danger. We were very worried about her and I had thought we'd have to cancel our trip. But as her doctor said, it would take time and whether we were there or not would make no difference.

So I knelt and cleared my mind then asked to power behind the statue if I was understood even though I don't speak Japanese. I feeling of reassurance came over me. In my prayer I said I was not here asking for myself, but if it was possible to reach halfway around the planet would they send my daughter healing. I placed my hands over my eyes and in a reverse of the healing ritual I had been shown. placed them over the cow's eyes. And asked for whatever they could o. Once more I got that soft feeling of reassurance.

I then bowed and expressed my thanks to whatever god or spirit I was addressing through the statue.

My daughter called that evening. She had improved greatly and the doctor was hopeful she would regain her full sight. I remain grateful to the inhabitant(s) of the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine for their kindness to a foreigner.
Written 6 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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