Day: November 20, 2022

Shichi-Go-San

Shichi-Go-San” is an ancient Japanese rite of passage to celebrate the growth of the child. Although there are some differences depending on the region and customs.

it is considered to be a time to visit shrines when the child turns 3, 5, and 7 years old to thank the gods for their blessings on your child’s safe growth.

The torii gate

Heian-jingu has one of the biggest torii gate in Japan which is about 25 meters high.

The torii was built to celebrate the enthronement of the Emperor Showa in 1928.

History

Heian-jingu has a relatively short history. It was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th year of the relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo.

Heian-jingu enshrines two Japanese emperors as deities, the 50th Emperor Kan-mu who transferred the capital to Heian-kyo, and the 121st Emperor Komei, the last emperor who had lived in Kyoto.

Overview

Heian-jingu is one of the most important and visually impressive Shinto shrines in Kyoto.

 Heian is the former name of Kyoto.

Heian-jingu is listed as an important cultural property of Japan.

The word “jingu” as in Heian-jingu means the shrine which has a relationship to the imperial family.

 Heian-jingu represents a part of the ancient capital of Kyoto(Heian-kyo).

The shrine’s main buildings are a 5/8 (five-eighths) scale reproduction of the original Imperial Palace from the Heian period.

Autumn leaves

In Shin-nyo-do, maple trees grow on both sides of the stone-paved approach, and the three-story pagoda can be seen in the back, as if the temple were in a forest of maple trees. The stone pavement from the front of the main hall to the west becomes a tunnel of autumn leaves. 

The most beautiful moment is when the autumn leaves are bathed in the setting sun. 

The peak of the autumn foliage in the temple depends on the weather of the year, but the peak season is after the end of November. The area behind the main hall can be enjoyed until early December.