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Usitour
Church & Religious Site

Kawai jinja

📍 59 Shimogamo-Izumikawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0807, Japan
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★★★★☆

Quick Facts

Location
Japan, Kyoto
Category
Church & Religious Site
Duration
30-60 min
Address
59 Shimogamo-Izumikawacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-0807, Japan
Coordinates
35.0280, 135.7730

Introduction

Kawai Shrine stands at the southern edge of Shimogamo Shrine's Tadasu no Mori forest, one of the subsidiary shrines inside the World Heritage site. It honours Tamayorihime, mother of Emperor Jimmu, revered as Japan's foremost goddess of beauty and a guardian of women, safe childbirth and inner as well as outer beauty. What draws visitors is not the hall but the mirror-ema: a hand-mirror-shaped wooden plaque printed with a faint face, which worshippers make up with their own cosmetics to depict the look they hope for, then offer with a wish. Many bring their everyday lipstick and eyebrow pencil. The office also sells 'beauty water' made from quince and honey and a lace mirror omamori, and a sacred white stone in the grounds is said to help the complexion. Continue north through the torii into Tadasu no Mori and Shimogamo's main halls for an easy half day from Demachiyanagi.

✨ Highlights

1
Japan's Foremost Beauty Goddess
Enshrines Tamayorihime, guardian of women, beauty and childbirth.
2
Mirror Ema
A hand-mirror plaque you make up with your own cosmetics and offer.
3
Gateway to Tadasu no Mori
At the southern edge of the World Heritage Shimogamo grounds.
4
Beauty Water and Mirror Omamori
Quince-and-honey drink and a lace mirror charm from the office.
5
Sacred White Stone
A stone in the grounds prayed to for clearer skin.
6
On to Shimogamo's Main Halls
The forest leads to Aioi Shrine, the tower gate and National Treasure halls.

🛈 Practical Info

→Time Needed：30 min at the shrine; 1.5 h with the forest and main halls.
→Cost：Free grounds; mirror-ema JPY 800, beauty water JPY 500.
→Route：Get the ema, make it up and offer it, then head north into the forest.
→Combine：Pairs with Demachiyanagi, the Kamo River delta and Demachi Masugata arcade.

Opening Hours

Opening Hours
Monday06:30-17:00
Tuesday06:30-17:00
Wednesday06:30-17:00
Thursday06:30-17:00
Friday06:30-17:00
Saturday06:30-17:00
Sunday06:30-17:00

Grounds free for worship; the office handling mirror-ema and goshuin keeps 09:00-16:00

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
Free AdmissionFree to visit

Mirror-ema offering JPY 800, beauty water JPY 500, omamori extra

Transportation

Subway

10 min from Demachiyanagi on the Keihan Line

Bus

City bus to Shimogamo-jinja-mae, 5 min on foot

Driving/Parking

Paid parking near Shimogamo Shrine

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Kawai jinja?

Monday: 06:30-17:00; Tuesday: 06:30-17:00; Wednesday: 06:30-17:00; Thursday: 06:30-17:00; Friday: 06:30-17:00; Saturday: 06:30-17:00; Sunday: 06:30-17:00; Grounds free for worship; the office handling mirror-ema and goshuin keeps 09:00-16:00

How much is the admission for Kawai jinja?

Free Admission: Free to visit; Mirror-ema offering JPY 800, beauty water JPY 500, omamori extra

How long should I spend at Kawai jinja?

A typical visit takes 30-60 min.

How do I get to Kawai jinja?

Subway: 10 min from Demachiyanagi on the Keihan Line; Bus: City bus to Shimogamo-jinja-mae, 5 min on foot; Driving/Parking: Paid parking near Shimogamo Shrine