Shimogamo Shrine, Shinto sanctuary in Sakyo district, Kyoto, Japan
Shimogamo is a Shinto sanctuary in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto, where vermilion wooden halls stand between the Kamo and Takanogawa rivers. Curved bridges cross small streams that flow through the grounds beneath a canopy of old trees.
The sanctuary began in the 6th century and gained imperial recognition during the Heian period. It grew into one of the main religious sites in Yamashiro Province.
The sanctuary holds the annual Aoi Matsuri parade on May 15, where participants wear traditional period costumes in one of Kyoto's three major festivals.
The sanctuary opens daily from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM and visitors can walk through multiple buildings, gardens, and paths across the grounds. Comfortable shoes help when exploring the different areas connected by gravel walkways.
The grounds include Tadasu no Mori, a forest section that has remained nearly unchanged for over a thousand years. This woodland once covered the entire area before Kyoto became the capital.
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