Written by Aarohi Narain
A picturesque Shinto shrine near central Kyoto.
What to expect
Kyoto’s Seimei Shrine deifies Abe no Seimei, the Heian-era onmyōji or master of spells, divination, and yin and yang, who once protected Kyoto.
The shrine was built on the site of his former residence in 1007 and, though destroyed during war, has been faithfully rebuilt.
Look out for its distinctive pentagram motifs — symbols of Seimei’s protective magic — on charms, gates, and even sweets sold at the shrine.
The biggest festival at this shrine is the annual Seimei Festival, taking place every autumn equinox and the day before.
How to get there
From Kyoto Station, take the 9 City Bus. Get off at Seimei Shrine bus stop fter 15 stops (around 25 minutes.
By train, the nearest station is Imadegawa Station, less than 10 minutes from Kyoto Station on the Karasuma Line. It’s a 15-minute walk from there.
- 0.8 km from Imadegawa Station Karasuma Line (K6)
- 1.3 km from Kuramaguchi Station Karasuma Line (K5)
- 1.5 km from Marutamachi Station Karasuma Line (K7)
