Discover a Quiet and Peaceful side of Kyoto
You can visit the Kyoto Imperial Palace for free without a reservation, and a tour of the grounds takes approximately 50 minutes.
Free multilingual audio guide apps are available for use at various points along the tour route. Starting now, I’ll introduce the site by categorizing the tour highlights into four areas: the overall grounds, gates, buildings, and gardens.
Location
You can see wild boar statues in place of the usual guardian dogs, a boar-themed purification fountain, and boar figures scattered throughout the shrine grounds.
Location
Located on the west side of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, opposite the Hamaguri-gomon Gate, Go-o Shrine is known as the “Wild Boar Shrine” and is believed to offer blessings for recovery from ailments and injuries affecting the legs and lower back.
The shrine enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro—who played a pivotal role in Emperor Kanmu’s relocation of the capital to Heian-kyo—and his older sister, Wake no Hiromushi; images illustrating this history are displayed along Karasuma-dori Street.
Location
Choose one of five colored candles—each corresponding to a different type of blessing—and step into the Mitarashi River; there, use the pure water to cleanse your body and spirit of negative energy before lighting and offering your candle.
Location
Jonangu Shrine features a sacred garden known as “Rakusuien,” where visitors can enjoy flowers that bloom throughout the seasons.
The garden includes the flowers and trees depicted in *The Tale of Genji*, earning it the nickname “The *Tale of Genji* Flower Garden.”
It is also known as the “Heian Garden” and serves as the venue for the famous *Kyokusui no En* (Winding Stream Banquet).
Location