"Yasaka Area" in Kyoto

"Yasaka" is not an official place name in Kyoto. Some travel guild books refer Yasaka Area as the area between Yasaka Shrine and Yasaka pagoda on the east side of Kamo River. This page also shares the information of historical sites in this area.

Yasaka-Jinjya Shrine

If you walk from Kawaramachi Station in downtown Kyoto to the east, you will arrive at Yasaka Shrine. It is said that Yasaka Shrine was originally built in 876. Shrine buildings were destroyed during the Onin War (1467 - 1477). All remaining buildings were built at the end of fifteenth century or later.

From Kawaramachi, you will see "Nishi-Romon" Gate, the West Two-storied Gate. The vermilion colored gate is very impressive. "Nishi-Romon" Gate was built in 1497. it was designated as an Important cultural property of Japan.

If you go through "Nishi-Romon" Gate, you will see "Maiden" Hall, a Lower Worship Hall, located in the middle of the shrine. "Maiden" Hall was built in 1903. "Maiden" Hall was built recently, but it was also designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

To the left of "Maiden" Hall, the Main Hall is located. Yasaka-Jinjya Shrine was originally named "Gion-Sha" Shrine and deifies "Gozu Tennou", Ox-Headed Heavenly King, who is a syncretic Japanese deity of disease and healing.

The Main Hall was built in 1654 by TOKUGAWA Ietsuna (1641 - 1680), the fourth "Shogun" in the "Edo" Age(1603 - 1868). The Main Hall is none of the largest shrine buildings un Japan. It is designated as a national treasure of Japan.

To the south from "Maiden" Hall, "Minami-Romon" Gate, the South Two-storied Gate, is located.

"Minami-Romon" Gate is the main gate of Yasaka Shrine. It was built in 1879 and it is designated as an important cultural property of Japan. Yasaka Shrine has long history, even before Kyoto became the capital of Japan. Yasaka Shrine has many cultural properties, one national treasure of Japan and twenty-nine important cultural properties of Japan.

If you walk from "Minami-Romon" Gate to the south, you will arrive at "Kodaiji" Temple.

Kodaiji Temple

From Maruyama Park next to Yasaka Shine , a narrow street continues to the south. The street is named "Nene-no-michi", which means the "Nene's street". After five minute walk from Maruyama park, you will arrive at the entrance of Kodaiji Temple. The slop continues to the main temple area located on the small hill.

On the slope, you will take in a panoramic view of "Yasaka-no-tou", the five storied Pagoda of "Yasaka" and the city of Kyoto. This view is very impressive.

Kodaiji Temple was founded in 1605 by KINOSHITA Nene (or One), "Kitano-Mandokoro"(1549? - 1624), who was the legal wife of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi(1537 - 1598) in order to pray for the repose of TOYOTOMI Hideyoshi's soul.

There are a couple of historical buildings in Kodaiji Temple. The above pictures show tea-ceremony houses, which were remnants of Fushimi Castle and they are designated as important properties of Japan.

Please refer the page of "Kodaiji Temple" for more the detailed description:
 http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Kansai/Kodaiji_E.html

Many tourists walk on the small street to "Yasaka" Pagoda. Many wear a "Kimono", Japanese traditional clothes. When I walked on the street, newlyweds were taking memorial pictures in "Kimono".

The below left picture was taken in 2011.

"Yasaka" Pagoda is the Five Storied Pagoda. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1440. It is 46 meters in height and the third tallest pagoda in Japan.

It is said that "Yasaka" Pagoda is the pagoda of Hoganji Temple, which was founded in 592 by Prince Shotoku (574 - 622). Prince Shotoku was the historical person in Japan. He promulgated the first constitution in Japan and established the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System.

Today, the five-storied pagoda is the only main temple building of Hoganji Temple and the area of Hoganji Temple is very narrow.

The view of "Yasaka" Pagoda from the west is surrounded by historical houses. This view is also very impressive. "Yasaka" Pagoda is designated as an important cultural property of Japan.

How to get there
From Kyoto Station, take a bus on Route #58, #86, #206 and #EX100 to Gion Bus Stop. From Yasaka Shrine, walk to the south on "Nene's" Street. it will take you approximately ten minutes to Kodaiji Temple on foot.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Nanzenji Temple
Gion Area
Kodaiji Temple
Sannei-zaka Area
Kiyomizu Temple

Go to the top page of "Historical and Exotic Japan":
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/index.html

Home Page in Japanese: "Shane's HomePage"
http://shanehsmt.html.xdomain.jp/index.html