Visit the Kitano area, full of culture and history
20.09.15
Blog
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is one of the most important Tenmangu shrines across Japan that are dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a politician and scholar from more than one thousand one hundred years ago. The shrine stands in the Kitano area, located in the northwest of central Kyoto. Although it is close to famous temples such as Kinkaku-ji Temple and Ryoan-ji Temple, the area is lesser known and the quiet townscape remains full of culture and history.
The shrine is well known for the deity of scholarship or learning as Michizane was a great scholar and made great academic achievements. Millions of students and their parents preparing for exams such as university entrance exams or qualifying exams visit the shrine every year and pray for their academic success.
Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is famous for plum blossoms and autumn leaves. There are over 1,500 plum trees in the shrine and a big plum blossom festival is held at the end of February. The festival is a sign of the arrival of spring. Visitors enjoy the festival with the sweet scent of plum blossoms.
The maple leaves turn orange, yellow and red beautifully in autumn. People come to the shrine to appreciate autumn foliage and enjoy one of the best seasons of the year.
Monthly flea markets are held on the 25th at the shrine. The area which is usually quiet turns into a lively marketplace. Hundreds of stalls set up in and around the shrine and vendors sell everything from antiques to used clothes and second-hand books. It would be a great stroll looking around the stalls while having some snacks from the food stalls.
The oldest Geisha district in Kyoto is adjacent to the shrine and the area has a few historical temples as well. It is one of the greatest areas to walk around and see the full history and culture of Kyoto after praying for your good fortune at Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.
