A complete guide to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto
The momiji garden at Kitano Tenmangu. Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Overview
Kitano Tenmangu is an 1100-year-old (est. 947) shrine located in north-eastern Kyoto that's well-known amongst locals for its monthly flea market, early spring plum blossoms, and beautiful autumn leaves. Kitano Tenmangu has an interesting history as it was the first shrine in Japan to enshrine an actual person. Although it was originally established in 947, the current main shrine was constructed in 1607 and has been designated a national treasure.
The shrine is quite large, featuring over 1000 plum trees, hundreds of maple trees (momiji), and 350 stone lanterns. The momiji garden is a famous spot for viewing the autumn leaves and is only open during the autumn period during November.
Today Kitano Tenmangu is known as a shrine dedicated to learning, so it's common for students to visit the shrine to buy amulets for their upcoming exams.
Table of Contents
Location & Access
Kitano Tenmangu is located north-west of central Kyoto, it's not near any train stations so a bus, taxi, or bike is required. The bus from Kyoto Station, Downtown, or Gion will take about 40 minutes.
🕗 Opening Hours
Normal Hours: 7am - 8pm
Kitano Autumn Illumination: 6pm - 8pm
📍 Location
North-western Kyoto (Google Maps)
💴 Entry Price
Shrine Area: Free
Plum Garden: ¥1200
Maple (Momiji) Garden: ¥1200
Autumn Illumination: ¥1200
Seasons
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
💮 Plum Blossoms
Late February to Mid-March
🌸 Cherry Blossoms
Kitano Tengmangu is not known for its cherry blossoms
☀️ Summer
June - August (rainy season)
Average temp. 32°C
🍁 Autumn Leaves
Mid-November to Early December
❄️ Winter
December - February
Snowfall: 1-3 times per year
Events & Flea Market
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
💮 Plum Blossom Festival
25th February
The plum blossoms blume from late February to mid-March and a special festival is held to mark the start of the season. The Plum Blossom Festival is an awesome event that features apprentice geisha serving matcha tea to visitors of the shrine.
🏮 Monthly Flea Market
7am - 8pm
25th of each month
The flea market at Kitano Tengmangu is the most popular market in Kyoto, featuring hundreds of stalls selling handmade crafts, street food, and various knick-knacks. The market continues into the night with the whole shrine becoming illuminated with 600 stone and paper lanterns.
🍁 Autumn Illumination & The Maple Garden
Mid-November to Early December
The maple garden, which is normally closed, is opened up during November for people to enjoy the autumn leaves.
Autumn illuminations are also held in the evening, from 6pm - 8pm.
Other events are held throughout the year, you can view the full list on their website.
Interesting Facts & History
Image Copyright: Ollie Ronin
Kitano Tenmangu is an 1100-year-old, originally founded in 947.
It was the first shrine in Japan to enshrine an actual person, Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar and loyal advisor to the emperor.
Sugawara no Michizane was famous for his poetry and was a loyal advisor to the emperor, however, a power struggle between the political clans led to his exile. He was banished to Kyushu in 901, and died in 903.
After the death of Michizane, Kyoto was struck with a series of natural disasters, and many of Michizane's rivals also died. These events were attributed to Michizane's vengeful spirit, so the shrine was built to appease him, and his remains were moved to the shrine.
Kitano Tenmangu is known as the shrine for learning, and today it's a popular place for students to buy amulets.
The shrine contains a number of healing cow sculptures, to heal an ailment visitors rub the cow and their corresponding body part.
Nearby Attractions
Although somewhat out of the way, Kitano Tenmangu is only an 18-minute walk from the Kinkakuji Temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Even closer is the Hirano Shrine which is famous for its cherry blossom and is right next to Kitano Tenmangu.
