Heian Jingu

The Heian Jingu shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1.100th anniversary of the founding of Kyoto and is dedicated to the emperors Kanmu and Kōmei. The first thing that impresses you is the enormous 24-metre orange torii that marks the entrance, one of the largest in Japan. The main precinct —free to access— replicates the ancient Imperial Palace of Kyoto on a reduced scale and is very photogenic. The Shin-en gardens, which surround the shrine, are one of the best-kept secrets of the city: 30.000 m² spread over four seasonal zones with ponds, covered bridges, weeping cherry trees and hydrangeas. Admission to the gardens costs 600 ¥. They open from 8:30 to 17:30 (variable by season). In spring, the weeping cherry trees over the pond offer one of the most beautiful scenes in Kyoto. To get there, take bus 5 or 100 from Kyoto station to Kyoto Kaikan Bijutsukan-mae.