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Heian Shrine, Kyoto

4.2
#17 of 687 in Historic Sites in Kyoto
Historic Site · Hidden Gem · Landmark
Noted for its scarlet tori gates, Heian Shrine remains one of the most important Shinto sites in Kyoto. Built in 1895 to celebrate the city’s 1,100th anniversary, and relatively new in comparison to similar religious sites, the shrine was designed to resemble a smaller replica of the original Heian Palace. Step into the complex through the large, vividly colored gate, and explore its picturesque grounds. Roam the courtyards and Chinese-style buildings, or, for a small fee, enter the gardens that encircle a large pond, and stroll along stone paths lined by weeping cherry trees and maples. Add Heian Shrine to your Kyoto travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our Kyoto online visit planner.
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Tours to Heian Shrine

FROM $118 BOOK WITH VIATOR Kyoto Like a Local: Private BIKE Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $118 »
FROM $174 BOOK WITH VIATOR 4 hours Free optional private tour in Kyoto
Duration: 2 to 10 hours
Tours from $174 »
FROM $48 BOOK WITH VIATOR Easy Pacing Kyoto Half Day Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
Tours from $48 »

Heian Shrine reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.0
1,224 reviews
Google
4.2
TripAdvisor
  • By Jack F
    I have visited many times and brought many friends. The garden behind the temple is one of my favorite places in Kyoto. The signature stepping stones across the pond is particularly intriguing...  more »
  • By magnificentlanka2020
    The entrance to the temple is elegant with a majestic 24 m high Torii gate. We spent many hours wandering around the Shrine garden and enjoyed the peaceful and serene environment a lot. There were...  more »
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Google
  • By Dávid Kovács
    One of the newer shrines in Kyoto. It's nice and large with very spacious grounds. Because of that it's not as overcrowded as many other places. Behind the shrine there's a beautiful large garden with ponds. However, the entrance fee to the gardens is 600 ¥ while the entrance to the shrine is free. But I highly recommend visiting the gardens too.
  • By Fernando Rosenberg
    Beautiful shrine with a large, peaceful garden to walk around in in all seasons. You can also enjoy some simple snacks in the souvenir shop located next to the shrine.
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