First shrine visit of the year to Matsuo Taisya Shrine

Travel Reports by Jose Wonder

Note: The opinions and views expressed in this user report are those of the individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of japan-guide.com.

January 17, 2014 - First shrine visit of the year to Matsuo Taisya Shrine

Matsuo Taisha Shrine is an interesting ancient shrine on the outskirts of Kyoto that offers a little more to see and do than most of the often visited shrines in the area. It is also less crowded.

http://youtu.be/AfAdb4klhEE

Located near Arashiyama, it was founded in 701, almost 100 years before the founding of Kyoto. It was founded by the head of the Hata clan, an immigrant clan that ruled the area before the moving of the capital from Nara. The Hata also founded the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine.

The Hata were instrumental in bringing sake brewing techniques from Korea, and the shrine has a deep and long association with sake brewers, who still take water from the sacred well Kame no I, located in the shrine.

The shrine grounds are home to 3, 000 rose bushes which are in bloom during April and May.

About 30 years ago, the famous landscape designer and painter, Mirei Shigemori, built (at great expense) three gardens at the shrine, the Iwakura Garden, in ancient style, the Horai Garden, in Kamakura era style, and the Kyokusui Garden, in Heian era style. They are considered some of the best modern gardens in Japan.

http://youtu.be/AfAdb4klhEE

http://youtu.be/AfAdb4klhEE
https://www.youtube.com/user/wonderKYOTO

list all posts

List of Posts:
2014/11/18 - enjoy walking around Kyoto with Jose
2014/01/19 - Snow piled up for the first time this winter in Kyoto
2014/01/17 - First shrine visit of the year to Matsuo Taisya Shrine
2014/01/12 - Toka Ebisu Business Prosperity Festival in Kyoto
2014/01/09 - The ship of shichifukujin marches around Shijo street
2014/01/03 - New Year holidays of the world heritage of Kyoto