The Backpack Adventures

Located at 625  Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward in Kyoto City, Yasaka Jinja Shrine  ( 八坂神社 ) is one of the city's most famous shrines. Yasaka Jinja Shrine  ( 八坂神社 ) Yasaka Jinja Shrine History Also known as  Yasaka Shrine  and  Gion Shrine , Yasaka Jinja Shrine was constructed in year 656.  The shrine is dedicated to Susanoo (it's chief Kami) and is considered the guardian shrine of the Gion entertainment district. The shrine  gained prominence during the early Heian period when it gained Imperial patronage. Yasaka Jinja Shrine - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture The Nishiromon Gate is the first part of the Yasaka Jinja Shrine that you'd see from Shijo Street. Going into the shrine complex via the Nishiromon Gate Zuishin warriors are enshrined in the Nishiromon Komainu (lion dog) statues guard the vermilion Nishiromon gate In 877, the main hall of the Yasaka Jinja Shrine was credited with halting a major epidemic that spread throughout the capital. Since then, the sh

Day 4 December 22, 2019 Exploring Kyoto 2 Ohayou minasan! Ready for the new day! It's another day of adventure here in Japan . Originally, we plan to visit Otsu City in S higa Prefecture today to try out the Michigan Cruise in Lake Biwa . However, there were still plenty of amazing places in Kyoto that we haven't covered yet and it would be a shame to miss them out in exchange for only one destination. So, for today, we decided to explore around Rakuto Area which is better known as the Higashiyama Area of Kyoto City.  Back to Kyoto Station but this time we'll take the bus. Waiting for Raku Bus #100 As previously done, we woke up early, had breakfast, then headed to Kyoto Station to avail of the Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass  for today's tour. Then, we rode bus #100 towards our first destination for the day - Yasaka Jinja Shrine .  Boarded down at Gion bus stop... Off to Yasaka Jinja First stop: Yasaka Jinja Yasaka Jinja's Maidono Yasaka Jinja Rikimizu Yas