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2024.1.1
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2024 Zodiac Pilgrimage

The year 2024 is the Year of the Dragon! 7 temples and shrines in Kyoto recommended for zodiac year pilgrimages

The Chinese zodiac sign for the year 2024 is "辰", or dragon. There are many temples and shrines in Kyoto that are closely associated with dragons, making it a good place to pay homage to the Chinese zodiac in the year of the dragon. In this issue, we will introduce seven temples and shrines where you can encounter various dragons. Check out the special exhibitions and gifts offered as well.

6. You can meet komainu (guardian dragons) instead of komainu (guardian dogs) [Fushimi Shinpo Shrine] / Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Jinbo Shrine is enshrined at the site associated with "Taketori Monogatari" on Mount Inari.
The shrine is said to have been founded in the early Heian period (794-1185) and is dedicated to ten different sacred treasures. The main shrine is guarded by two magnificent guardian dragons, the heavenly dragon and the earthly dragon. After visiting the shrine, you can divine your fortune for the year with a dragon omikuji (fortune slip).
In addition, one of the shrines on the temple grounds, Ryuzu Okami, is home to a statue of a dragon head.

(stone) guardian lion-dogs at Shinto shrine

(Left) A statue of the dragon head at the Dragon Head Grand Shrine (Right) Dragon fortune 500 yen

Fushimi Jinpo Shrine

  • Because it's fushimikan, it's Jinja
  • 15 Fukakusa Sasayamacho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 12 minutes walk from JR Inari Station
    15 minutes walk from Keihan Fushimi Inari Station
    15 minutes on foot from the bus stop "Inari Taisha Mae"
  • Tel.075-642-5838
  • Main Shrine / Opening Hours
    Always available for worship
    Shrine office 8:30-16:00
    Year-end and New Year's events
    January 1, early morning New Year's Day Festival

7. Unryu (dragon and clouds) paintings by the Kano school can be seen at Sennyuji Temple / Higashiyama

Sennyu-ji Temple, which mourns the family of successive emperors and has a very strong connection with the imperial family.
The Buddhist temple is designated as a national important cultural property, and its ceiling is decorated with "Unryu" (cloud and dragon) painted by Tanyu Kano with powerful brush strokes.
In 2024, the museum will also hold a "Kyoto Winter Journey" special exhibition of undisclosed cultural properties. In the Shariden, which has been open to the public only in the year of the dragon and on special occasions, visitors will be able to view the ceiling painting "Unryu-zu" by Kano Sansetsu, known for his "Naruki-ryu" (roaring dragon). It is a privilege to be able to compare the two paintings by two painters of the Kano school, which is only possible in the year of the dragon.

Sennyu-ji Temple

Sennyu-ji Temple

Dragon and clouds" by Kano Tanyu on the ceiling of the Buddhist temple

Sennyu-ji Temple

  • Sennyuji
  • 27 Sannaicho, Sennyuji, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 15-minute walk from Sennyuji-michi bus stop
    20 minutes walk from JR Tofukuji Station
  • Tel.075-561-1551
  • Main Shrine / Opening Hours
    Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (Last admission: 16:30) *Open until 16:00 from December to February
    Entrance fee/500 yen *500 yen for the garden, the throne room, and the sea meeting hall (separate entrance fee required)

  • Winter Journey in Kyoto" Special exhibition of non-public cultural properties, Shariden, Sennyuji Temple
    January 6, 2024 (Sat.) - March 18, 2024 (Mon.) *No viewing on January 8 (Mon., national holiday)
    Hours of visitation: 10:00-16:30 (registration closes at 16:00)
    Adults (junior high school students and older) 900 yen, elementary school students 500 yen

8. [Mysterious experience with the dragon impulse at Unryuin / Sennyuji Temple

[Unryuin is a branch temple of Sennyu-ji Temple, which has a 600-year history as a temple of sutra copying.
What you encounter at the entrance is a rather mysterious dragon impulse. If you compare the face from each direction while looking at the nose area, the length of the face appears to change. Experience the changes in the dragon as if it were alive.
This museum is also holding a special exhibition of undisclosed cultural properties as part of the "Winter Journey to Kyoto" event. Inside the main hall "Ryukaden," the sliding door painting "Ssoryu Fuu Rai Zu" by Dono Musui, which dynamically depicts the Wind God, Thunder God, and two dragons, will be on special display. Various other temple treasures related to dragons will also be on display.

Unryu-in Temple

Winter view from the window of the Shikishi

Dragon impulse

Unryu-in Temple

  • Unryuin
  • 36 Sannaicho, Sennyuji, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
  • 15-minute walk from Sennyuji-michi bus stop
  • Tel.075-541-3916
  • Main Shrine / Opening Hours
    Visiting hours: 9:00-17:00 (Reception closes at 16:30)
    Admission fee/400 yen
    Year-end and New Year's events
    December 31: Bell tolling at the end of the night (from 11:50 a.m., ends at 108 times) Official Insta-AccountLive streaming available at
    January 1: Normal viewing

  • Winter Journey in Kyoto" Special Open House of Unryuin, Sennyuji Temple
    January 6, 2024 (Sat.) - March 18, 2024 (Mon.) *No viewing on January 8 (Mon., national holiday)
    Hours of visitation: 10:00-16:30 (registration closes at 16:00)
    Adults (junior high school students and older) 800 yen, elementary school students 400 yen
The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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