Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto

Japan Winter 2024

Kyoto | Japan

28 Feb 2024 | Wed

Day 09 of 17

Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple
Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple and Bamboo Forest Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk to Jōjakkōji Temple Arashiyama Kyoto
Jōjakkōji Temple Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk to Okochi Sanso Garden Arashiyama Kyoto
Okochi Sanso Garden Arashiyama Kyoto
Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Kyoto
Walk to Nonomiya Shrine
Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto
Walk Nagatsuji-dori Street at Arashiyama Village Kyoto
Togetsukyo Bridge Arashiyama Kyoto
Train Back to Hotel

Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto

Nonomiya Shrine, also known as the Shrine in the Country, is a small but significant Shinto shrine located in the Arashiyama district on the west side of Kyoto, Japan. It’s nestled close to the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Forest1, making it a serene stop after a walk through the mystical bamboo paths.

Nonomiya-Shrine-01 — Entrance into Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto

The shrine has a rich history and was originally established as a purification site for imperial princesses who were appointed as priestesses for the Ise Shrine. The location of the shrine was determined anew each time a new priestess was to undergo purification.

Nonomiya-Shrine-03 — Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto

Despite its small size, Nonomiya Shrine is surrounded by a beautiful moss-filled garden and several sub-shrines. It features a unique black torii gate, which is made to resemble unstripped timber. This rustic touch adds a bit of charm and harks back to the oldest style of Shinto torii gates.

The shrine is also known for its connection to women’s wishes. Many women visit Nonomiya Shrine to pray for finding love, having children, and safe childbirth

Nonomiya Shrine (野宮神社, Nonomiya-jinja), or the Shrine in the Country, is a Shinto shrine in the Arashiyama district on the west side of the city of Kyoto in Kyoto prefecture, Japan, close to its bamboo forest. The specific site of the shrine changed somewhat over time, as the location of the shrine was fixed anew by divination when a new imperial priestess was to undergo purification before traveling to take up her duties at Ise Shrine.

In the Heian period, successive imperial princesses stayed in the Nonomiya Shrine for a year or more to purify themselves before becoming representatives of the imperial family at the Ise Shrine in Mie prefecture. Contemporary annual processions recreate a scene from a picture scroll of the imperial court during the Heian period, starting from the shrine and continuing as far as the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Arashiyama.

– Nonomiya Shrine Arashiyama Kyoto > Wikipedia