Kamigamo Area

Nishimura Villa

In the Edo Era (17-18C) Shinto priests of Kamigamo Shrine set up their houses near the Shrine and formed a village called ‘Shake-Machi’. The villa of Nishimura family is one of them.

Inside the Villa

Traditional ink painting on the wall.

Narita Villa

Stunning stone art at the entrance of the famous shop selling ‘suguki’, regional pickles of Kyoto made of turnip-like vegetables.

Myojin River

One of the many branches of Kamo River, this clear, sacred water is used by Shinto priests to perform ablution.

Gallery Shakemachi Space Muku

A tiny gallery near the Kamigamo Shrine, displaying water colour paintings of the local artists.

Early autumn foliage at Nishimura Villa

Kamigamo Shrine

The romon (tower gate) is one of the two types of two-storied gate in Japan. Originally developed by Buddhist style architecture, it is also used at Shinto shrines.

Women in formal attire at a special occasion

Sesha Kataoka-sha Shrine

One of the many branches of Kamigamo Shrine, believed to be the god of marriage.

Tatesuna

The two cone-shaped sand mounds in front of the hosodono worship hall represent Mt. Ko-yama in which the deity reside.

Cho-zusha

Place of ritual cleansing of hands and mouth with water before visiting the shrines.

Sessha Suwa Shrine

One of the branch shrines.

Omonoi River

The water of Omonoi River is used for ritual cleansing of implements used for Shinto ceremonies.

The riding ground for the Ritual of the Racehorses

The horse race is said to originate in Kamigamo Shrine’s ritual called Kurabe-uma-e-Jinji. The ritual was popularised during the rein of Emperor Horikawa in the 11th century, and continues until today.