Hirano-jinja

Hirano-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Kita-ku, Kyoto, Japan, housing four main deity halls with cypress bark roofs. The buildings follow the Kasuga style and stand in pairs across the grounds.

Emperor Kanmu founded the shrine in 794 during the relocation of the capital from Nara to Heian-kyo. He transferred three deities from the old seat of government to the new city.

The shrine maintains a garden of 500 cherry trees, initiated in 985 by Emperor Kazan, making it a central location for spring celebrations.

The shrine opens daily at 6 in the morning and usually closes around 5 in the afternoon. During cherry blossom season between March and April, the gates stay open longer so visitors can come in the evening as well.

At the base of an old tree sits a large magnetite stone wrapped with sacred ropes and paper ornaments. This stone is said to be the largest of its kind in all of Japan.

Location: Kita-ku

Inception: 782

Architectural style: Kasuga-zukuri

Fee: No

Part of: Twenty-Two Shrines, Shinbutsu Reijō Junpai no Michi

Address: 京都府京都市北区平野宮本町1

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 06:00-17:00

Website: https://hiranojinja.com/home/english-page

GPS coordinates: 35.03261,135.73194

Latest update: December 20, 2025 01:55