Yasaka Shrine

Yasaka Shrine（八坂神社） is a popular tourist spot known locally as “Gion-san.In front of Bigozensha Shrine, located on the grounds of Yasaka Shrine, there is a beauty water said to protect the health of the skin, which is also visited by gei-maiko (geisha and maiko) from the Gion area.

Gion Festival, one of the three major festivals in Kyoto, is famous for its various rituals and events that take place during the month of July from July 1 to July 31.Yoiyama, a festival with 35 floats (including one resting float) will be held from July 14 to July 16 (Mae-matsuri) and from July 21 to July 23 (Ato-matsuri), and Yamahoko-junko will be held on July 17 (Mae-matsuri) and July 24 (Ato-matsuri).

From New Year’s Eve to the early morning of New Year’s Day, the area is bustling with “okeramairi” . At Ebessan in Gion (January 9 – 10), the seven gods of good fortune can be seen riding on Ebisu boats from under the stone steps of Gion.

Access from Kyoto Station to Yasaka Shrine takes about 18 minutes by bus.