YASAKA SHRINE :TOURISM AROUND HERITAGE SITE

NAO, TAKAYUKI, TOMOHIRO, EMI, MALIK, FEBRI

LOCATIONNames: Yasaka Shrine, Yasakajinja, Yasaka Jinja, Gion Shrine, Gion-san Type of site: Shinto shrineDates: Founded 656 AD; most buildings date from 1654 Location: East end of Shijo-dori (Fourth Avenue), just off Higashi-oji-dori, Gion, KyotoJapan Address: 625 Gion-machi, Kitagawa, Kyoto, Japan Hours: Daily, 24 hours hours

Yasaka Shrine was first built in 656 AD. It was dedicated to Susa-no-o, the god of

prosperity and good health, and his wife and 8 children. Most of the buildings that

remain today are from a reconstruction in 1654.

In 869, the omikoshi (portable shrines) of Gion Shrine were paraded through the

streets of Kyoto to ward off an epidemic that had hit the city. This was the beginning

of the Gion Matsuri, an annual festival that has become world famous.

Today, Yasaka Shrine is an important shrine for Kyoto's inhabitants. Because it's close

to the shopping districts, worshippers drop by frequently for a quick prayer to the god

of prosperity and health.

BRIEF HISTORY

of prosperity and health.

The Yasaka Shrine crest and view of the cucumber cross-section

• Buildings

EXISTING

The plan of the main shrine.The main shrine appointed to the

important cultural property of the

country is called “gion-zukuri".

It is a style to wrap up a main shrine and

the front shrine on one roof. front view

section

the front shrine on one roof.

It is architecture without the similar

instance else.

The symbol of Higashiyama, the vivid vermilion-lacquered

Nishi-romon Gate. Designated as an important

national cultural property and popular among tourists, the Nishi-

romon Gate is considered the symbol of the Higashiyama district of

Kyoto and Yasaka Shrine. The Nishi-romon Gate was once known as

the Yashamon Gate and the Kagomon Gate.

The Main Hall has an unique architectural style , the roof

covers the front shrine as well as the main hall, and this design has covers the front shrine as well as the main hall, and this design has

become known as Gion-zukuri (Gion construction style). The

present structure was rebuilt in 1654 by the 4th Tokugawa Shogun,

Tokugawa Ietsuna.

The Ema-sha Iis a gallery of votive horse tablets. Many

paintings were placed around the wall.

Dedication ceremonies are usually held at Buden Hall,

but it can also be the setting for wedding ceremonies.

There are lots of little shrines surrounding

the Yasaka-jinja comple, each of them serves

spesific purpose. One of those shrines is

called Utsukushi-gozen shrine (picture C), this shrine is dedicated to three

A. B. C.

(picture C), this shrine is dedicated to three

female deities of beauty: Ichikishima-hime-

no-kami, Tagiri-hime-no-kami, and Tagitsu-

hime-no-kami. it is said that if you wash your

hands and face with the "beauty water”,

your skin and heart will be beautified.

There is a place for selling charms and amulets.

• Activities

Other than for praying activities, the shrine is also use for many events. Here are the main yearly events

that take place in the Yasaka shrine.

1/1 Okera-sai Prayers for health and happiness.

1/3 Karuta-hajime-shiki Dedication of the Karuta play, a Japanese traditional

1/9 Ebisu-sha-sai The ship of shichifukujin marches around the Shijo street.

3/17 Kinen-sai Prayers for luxuriance with music and dance.

7/1-31 Gion-matsuri Many events are held during the festival. The highlights are

Yoi-yama on the 16th and Yamahoko-junko on the 17th. Also Hanagasa-junko

happens on the 24th and ends with the Eki-jinja nagoshi-sai on the 31th.happens on the 24th and ends with the Eki-jinja nagoshi-sai on the 31th.

9 / Kangetsu-sai A festival of moon viewing held on Buden

11/3 Bugaku-hono Dance dedication with a big drum and other music.

12/31 Imamiyaebisu-jinja tai hono On every new year’s eve, Imamiyaebisu shrine

offers breams to Yasaka shrine.

ISSUES

� In each of the information boards , all of the informations were written in Japanese (picture

A, B & C). There is only one board with english explanation near Nishi-romon gate (picture D), and it’s explain

A. B. C. D.

A, B & C). There is only one board with english explanation near Nishi-romon gate (picture D), and it’s explain

only about the history of the temple.

� The maps of the Yasaka-

jinja are only avalaible in

japanese and they were

placed far from the gates so the

visitors might not be able to see

them. And for foreigners who

cant read japanese the maps

might be useless.

A. B. C. D.

� The circulation around the shrine complex is a bit complicated as for there are four gates, and the

avalaible signs were all written in japanese.

IDEAS & SOLUTIONS