V recommend to come here as it’s a v nice walk through the whole area. Beautiful place with nice landscape and there is a small water place where one can buy a fortune paper n soak it to read your fortune. There is a temple for beauty where gals will draw pic on the mirror shaped wood plank and wish for beauty . It’s actually free entry. Plus u can walk to a river where it’s calm n wonderful to just see the ducks n birds enjoying themselves. Walk across the river via the stones. There is a shop that sell a charm with beautiful sound which this is a first time to see.

It sounds like your visit to the Shimogamo Shrine was quite an interesting exploration, driven by the desire to draw water fortunes. Even though you didn't witness that, the revelation of the shrine being a UNESCO World Heritage Site added a valuable dimension to your experience. Investing in a ticket to explore the detailed descriptions inside seems like a worthwhile decision. The presence of knowledgeable guides providing insights during your visit added to the joy and honor of being in close proximity to the Shimogamo Shrine. While photography wasn't allowed, your eloquent description through words vividly expresses your feelings towards this sacred place. It's always fascinating to have such meaningful encounters and discover the cultural richness of these historic sites.

Shimogamo Shrine - beautiful shrines. Fortune telling creek is quite interesting.

Undoubtedly one of my favorite shrines! They also offer handwritten goshuin, making it a definite must-visit.

With 2,000 years of history, Shimogamo is one of the oldest, if not the oldest shire in Japan. It is also the place that held Aoi Matsuri festival. The shire area is expansive and has many interesting features such as - Omikuji (Fortune telling paper) that you have to float in the water to reveal your fortune. (English translation available at purchase point) - Tadasu-no-Mori Forest / an ancient primeval forest surrounding the shire. - Zodiac Shrines where you can pray to the shire according to your birth sign (Chinese Zodiac) - Sacred stone that is said to grow larger every year There are 2 interesting small shire within the area Kawai Shrine that grant beauty and Aioi-no-yashiro Shrine that grant good relationships. Also, close to the West Exit, there is a good gelato call Yuwado Gelato ジェラート専門店 友和堂 Like most shire in Japan, the entrance is free, but you can donate at the offering box.

I took advantage of the special visit to the shrine.　I went there on the way to visit the shrine because I could go to see two places. If you are interested in history, you might want to go there. The building is very nice and quaint. The entrance to the parking lot is a little confusing. It is a little difficult to find the way to enter the parking lot.

I come here quite often and it’s a great way to escape the crowds of Kyoto. The space is big and there’s a few beautiful shrines to visit, including a very cool rugby shrine. A must visit I think.

We had a lot of fun with the fortune telling paper experience. You need to leave it in the small river facing down for a bit and then Google translate will tell you what it says,lol. The winter charm is pretty and I was lucky to get the fall leaves one as well.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto, Shimogamo Jinja is a must visit for wine lovers (particularly Sake) there are a lot of sake donations here that you might find interesting. Aside from that this place is also ideal for nature lovers as it is surrounded by large trees, springs, and is near Kamo River.

This shrine consists of many smaller shrines inside. You can pray for beauty or buy omikuji which can only be read by soaking into water. The shrine is full of momiji so Autumn is the best time for visit. Summer also nice to see green leaves and enjoy a picnic.

Connected to Tadasu-no-Mori, this shrine is surrounded by sacred trees, beautiful forest and small springs. With different types of trees, the autumn foliage is exquisite. One of the attractions is the omikuji - fortune tickets - that could be read only after putting them in the shrine's spring. The ink in contact with the water will show gradually the messages you're meant to hear. For good luck in love, especially, this shrine is visited by many couples. Walking in this beautiful World Heritage site has brought much peace and calmness.

I have been to Yasaka Jinja and Fushimi Inari Taisha but I must say, this is the best out of all of them. It is significantly less busy, has great sceneries with the little stream running through the shrine, and has fancy looking snowflake omamori for sale. You can see how much is put into decorating this place, and how much the locals adore this place, I mean, just look at all those osake in one of the photos!

Beautiful free shrine that is away from the main crowds of Kyoto. There are a couple of other shrines in this park but this is by far the best and one of the nicest in the city.

Been here at the Yabusame ritual and boys it was lit. Definitely a solid 10 in term of experience. The scenery was solemn and godly. But the souvenirs are a little bit steep to my budget, they are well crafted though.

Beautiful, even in rainy seasons. In summer also good to visit the snack shop here. In Autumn good to see the leaves. In winter, come qnd pray for the good new year:)

Shimogamo Jinja is an UNESCO World Heritage site in Kyoto. It is surrounded by trees, a spring runs outside shrine and the Kamo River is nearby.

The grandeur and detail inside the shrine complex is breath taking. There is a beautiful walk up through the forest. It was not too busy during the weekday. I will visit again during the late afternoon to soak up that peaceful feeling. Simply amazing.

Interesting experience of water divination. After your draw your fortune paper, you put it in the river and the messages will reveal. Red bean soup is great for summer.

A popular shrine with a bus stop just 2 minutes outside the entrance, Shimogamo-jinja is pretty large and will take you about 20 minutes to explore. It’s big enough with a bunch of smaller shrines that the crowd tends to disperse so that you can enjoy yourself and get some peace and quiet. Near the back is a shallow creek that is designed for you to dip your fortune into. I saw a lot of locals do this, there’s a gift shop at the back that sells you the fortunes. That’s definitely the highlight of the shrine.

Gorgeous shrine close to a park/forest. They have special lace omamoris that are half transparent.

My favorite shrine in Kyoto. Always breathe taking crisp atmosphere. Tadasu no Mori which is the forest on the way to the shrine is also great for walking.

Beautiful Japanese traditional place just in between the main river. The road is beautiful, there are shrines all around the place and a shallow small river.

Perfect place to play with the kids in good weather days. Lots of nature and 2 small rivers where kids can catch little fish and crabs. There's many trees so even on hot summer days it's not too hot. A nice place to just relax and do nothing.

We came here by chance by riding bikes from Kyoto Station all the way to here. It was worthwhile and we really enjoyed this place. Full of history and niceties. No garbage bins around.

Not crowded, go here if you want to escape the tourist crowds but still want to experience an authentic Shinto sanctuary. Going through Todasu-no-mori forest, the long approach is recommended. It’s impressively scenic!

Fun place. The Okonomiyaki is special here. Dipped with source, thin like a crepe. The place is full if characters, you can sit next to famous actresses doll 😅 and the staff are very friendly. Nice experience!

The shrine is surrounded by a lot of big trees., tranquil and beautiful. There are two small creeks which are good playground for children.

2020 is the "Year of the Rat", Large Ema at Various Shrines in Kyoto. Rat is the first in the 12-year-cycle of Chinese zodiac signs. People born in the year of rat are generally born with the zodiac rat characteristics. They are believed to be very industrious and thrifty, diligent and positive. They love to enshrine and collect. They have a keen intuition and can foretell the danger. They can deal with the money carefully and have a good financial luck.

This place deserves the hype it gets from other posts. It really has that old school shrine feel. You can also do things like get different types of fortunes, ring the bell for prayer, and wash the uncleanliness away spiritually. I happened to go while a wedding shoot was taking place and got to see some traditional wedding outfits. The scenery was beautiful.

Really enjoy visit here, a shrine with a distance from the city. There is a river inside the area, which is nice to take pictures. White balloons in my photos are due to there event at night, they’ll light up the shrine. I missed it though.

Nice place to hang out on a hot day, plenty of space to walk so perfect in these times of social distance.