Kyoto | Draw a Water Fortune Slip at Kifune Shrine

Spring's Verdant Green and Autumn's Fiery Maple Leaves, Experience Kyoto's Sublime Poetry. I used to think it was too far and never included Kifune Shrine in my itinerary. However, visiting it this time left me with a sense of regret for not coming sooner. The mountains are adorned with lush green maple leaves, and as you walk along the Kifune River, the sound of flowing water and the fresh air create a feeling of cleansing for both body and soul. Kifune Shrine is the main shrine among the 450 Kifune Shrines across Japan. It enshrines Takaokami-no-Kami, the water deity in Japanese mythology, also known as Okami-no-Kami. Legend has it that records of repairs date back 1,300 years, suggesting the shrine's establishment predates this. It is said that Emperor Jimmu's mother, Tamayorihime, traveled on a yellow boat from the Yodo River to the Kifune River, eventually reaching the current location of the Okumiya (Inner Shrine) and established a shrine to worship Takaokami-no-Kami. Inside the Okumiya, there is a boat-shaped stone, believed to be the yellow boat transformed. Takaokami-no-Kami governs water, rivers, clouds, and rain, and is considered the most powerful among dragon deities. The shrine is also famous as a love shrine, with water fortune slips said to be particularly accurate for "love." This attracts many couples who come to pray together. First, you pay your respects at the main hall, then offer money and choose a fortune slip from the stack on the left. Finally, place the water fortune slip into the small pond in front of the main hall, and the fortune will gradually appear. At the entrance, there are two horse sculptures. In ancient times, people would offer a black horse to pray for rain and a white horse to pray for clear skies. This tradition evolved into the practice of offering ema (wooden prayer plaques), and Kifune Shrine is considered the birthplace of ema. Lastly, you can stroll along the path where many riverside restaurants are located, allowing you to experience Kyoto's elegance. The lush greenery is stunning, and I plan to return during the maple leaf season to immerse myself in the poetic beauty of fiery red leaves. 📍Address: 〒601-1112 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Sakyo Ward, Kurama Kifune Town 180 🚗 Take the Eizan Electric Railway from Demachiyanagi to Kifune Station, then transfer to a bus to reach the shrine directly.