Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

北野天満宮

Kitano Tenmangu is a Shinto shrine built in 947 in honor of Sugawara no Michizane. It is the head of about 12,000 Tenmangu and Tenjin shrines across Japan, and he is best known as the god of academics, so many students visit before exams. The main hall, rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori in 1607, is a National Treasure. The shrine is one of Japan's best places to see plum (ume) trees, and in autumn the Momiji-en garden has 350 maple trees. A market is held on the 25th of every month.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

The gates are open from 7:00 to 17:00. During the Momiji-en (maple garden) light-up and at New Year, the gates are also open at night.

The Sanko Gate in front of the main hall closes 30 minutes before the shrine gates close.

The amulet counter (juyosho) is open from 9:00 to 16:30. Hours change by season.

Closed

The shrine has no closing days.

Admission

You can walk around the shrine grounds freely.

Getting there

From JR Kyoto Station, take Kyoto City Bus No. 50 (about 35 minutes) to the "Kitano Tenmangu-mae" stop.

It is a 5-minute walk from Kitano-Hakubaicho Station (Randen / Keifuku line).

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Good to know

Eating and drinking are not allowed in the shrine grounds. Smoking is also not allowed anywhere in the grounds.
Wheelchair users can visit. There is a multipurpose toilet in the grounds, and wheelchairs can be borrowed.
On the 25th of every month, the "Tenjin-ichi" market is held across the shrine grounds.

Tips for Muslim visitors

Eating and drinking are not allowed on the shrine grounds.
Ordinary visitors can walk freely around the outside of the buildings; only people who have applied for prayers or charms enter the main building.
On the 25th of each month a market is held across the grounds from about 6 a.m. to sunset and it is busy with many visitors.
Shinto shrines are open to everyone. Bowing, clapping and washing at the purification basin are optional; you can simply look around.
Shrines are usually busiest at New Year and during festivals. Early morning is often the calmest time to visit.
Charms, fortune slips and votive tablets are religious items. You do not need to buy or use them.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Kyoto and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.