Wednesday 5 August 2015

[Kyoto] - Heian Shrine (平安神宮)

Heian Jinggu Shrine - a must visit Tourist Attraction in Kyoto | by Meheartseoul
Eyes fixed on brilliant vermillion contrast with green color, we quickly followed our guide to enter main gate of this historical and religious Heian Shrine...

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Otenmon, the main entrance gate to Heian Shrine.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine

In 794 A.D Emperor Kanmu relocated the capital from Nara to a region far from 
Buddhist influence to the present-day Kyoto, and named the new capital
Heian-kyo  (平安京 = Capital of tranquility and peace).

 www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Heian Jingu architectural style modeled on old Kyoto Imperial Palace.
It was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary
of relocation the capital's foundation in Heian.
www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine

Heian Shrine is dedicated to deify spirits of first emperor (Emperor Kammu) and
last emperor (Emperor Komei) who reigned Heian-Kyo from 794 to 1185.
It's also symbolized revival of Kyoto.

 www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Although not listed as a World Heritage Site, this impressive
Shinto shrines is listed as an important cultural property of Japan.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
It's also ranked as the top rank for shrines (Beppyou Jinja)
by the Association of Shinto Shrines.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Purification Trough near the entrance.
 You are supposed to clean your hands and mouth with the water
for purification before approaching the main hall.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Heian shrine was built in the style of  Chodo-in, "Official Compound"
structure of the original palace with striking colors vermillion-white-green.
and interior hall with unpainted cypress wood (hinoki).

I think it's same like Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju Korea, the middle path is for Kami (gods or spirits of the Emperors). You have to climb up from the right stairs and go down from left stairs.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Sorry... no photography allowed inside the shrine hall.


www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Main gate Otenmon has green-blue Chinese-style roof tiles.
It's painted in prominent vermillion (red-orange) color, which is believed 
to ward off evil spirits and disease. 

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine 
 Two Chinese-style towers, Soryu-ro (Blue Dragon) and Byakko-ro
(White Tiger) stand at the end of the buildings.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Beautiful courtyards of Heian Shrine is covered with white sand.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine

Ema and Omikuji.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Similar to Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion, most of Shinto Shrines including Heian Shrine 
has Ema stand for visitors write their wishes such as: good health, success in business, 
wisdom, wealth or love on these wooden plates. Then, they leaved them at the shrine 
in the hope that their wishes come true. 

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
From far, I thought they were pretty pink Cheerry Blossom trees...

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
When I walked there, they turned out to be 'Omikuji' trees.

Omikuji are fortune telling paper slips found at many shrines and temples. Randomly drawn, they contain predictions ranging from daikichi ("great good luck") to daikyo ("great bad luck"). By tying the piece of paper around a tree's branch, good fortune will come true or bad fortune can be averted.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.sg | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
Enormous vermillion Torii spanning over the road.

Giant torii standing 24.2 meters tall, and the supporting beams are 3.63 meters in diameter marking the sacred ground of Heian Shrine.

Heian Jingu's Torii is one of the largest torii in Japan. Therefore, though it's standing quite far from the shrine, but when you walked out from the shrine, this bright vermillion Torii will obviously captured your eyes.

www.meheartseoul.blogspot.com | Kyoto Heian Jingu Shrine
 Heian Shrine (平安神宮)


Information: 
Website: Heianjingu (Japanese)
Add: 左京区岡崎西天王町97 (97 Nishitenno-cho, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku)
Opening hours: 6:00 to 17:30
Admission: Free
Directions:
~ Bus No. 5 or 100 (30 mins, 230 yen) from Kyoto Station
~ Subway:  Karasuma Oike to Higashiyama Station (20 mins, 260 yen) + 10 mins walk to Shrine.

Related Posts:

http://meheartseoul.blogspot.sg/2015/07/KyotoNijoCastle.html

http://meheartseoul.blogspot.com/2015/07/kyotokinkakujigoldenpavilion.html