Heian-jingū Shrine (couple trip)
How Couple-Friendly is Heian-jingū Shrine?
What makes it 89% Couple-Friendly: Couples enjoy photogenic vermilion gates, seasonal blossoms, calm ponds and night light-ups; flat grounds invite slow hand-in-hand walks and many shared photo moments for a romantic outing.
Positives:
- Soft morning light: Visit within one hour of opening to capture vivid vermilion hues with fewer visitors.
- Nearby walk: Combine your visit with a stroll to Okazaki’s museums and cafes within 10 minutes on foot.
Challenges:
- Uneven grounds: Gravel courtyard and stone paths can feel unstable in heels or without sturdy shoes.
- Limited food options: No café inside shrine; bring water or buy snacks at the café outside gates.
What is Heian-jingū Shrine?
- A Shinto shrine founded in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto’s establishment as Japan’s imperial capital
- A partial reconstruction of Heian Period imperial architecture, distinguished by a colossal vermilion torii, the Otenmon gate and the Daigokuden main hall
- A shrine complex set within Shin-en Garden, a 30,000 square metre Japanese landscape noted for its path around a central pond
What is so special about Heian-jingū Shrine for couple trip?
- Heian-jingū replicates Heian-era palace architecture for immersive history.
- Giant vermilion torii gate sets a dramatic photo backdrop.
- Shin-en Garden offers seasonal blooms like cherries and irises.
- Private rickshaw tours add a romantic local experience.
- Traditional charms create lasting mementos of your visit.
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for couple trip: Enough time to explore main hall, stroll Shin-en Garden, and photograph the torii gate.
Couple-Friendly Activities in Heian-jingū Shrine
Under the giant vermilion torii gate:
Walk beneath the 24-meter-high torii that marks the shrine entrance.
Tip: Arrive at opening time for soft morning light and fewer visitors.
Stroll Shin-en Garden:
Circle the 30,000 m² pond-side garden with four themed sections.
Tip: Look for weeping cherries in spring and irises in early summer.
Take a private rickshaw tour:
Ride a two-person cart through the shrine grounds and Okazaki area.
Tip: Book at the tourist center or online to secure your preferred time.
Buy traditional charms together:
Select a Mi-mamori or Heian-mamori as a couple’s keepsake.
Tip: Choose charms dated for your visit to mark the memory.
When is the best time to visit Heian-jingū Shrine (Kyoto, Japan)?
Visit during cherry blossom season in April for pink blooms in the South Garden. In June, admire iris flowers in the West section. Join night illuminations in early April for lit-up gardens.
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Reviews of Heian-jingū Shrine (Kyoto)
Amirul Mu'minin
Heian Jingu Shrine has a stunning large torii gate and wide open grounds. The architecture is impressive, and the garden (for a small fee) is very peaceful with ponds, flowers, and traditional bridges. A calm escape from the busy city and great spot for photos!
THE EXPLORER
We recently stopped in Japan on one of our trips to Korea to visit my wife’s family. From Tokyo, we book a tour to Kyoto on the bullet train. One of the places we visited on the tour was the Heian Jingu Shrine in Kyoto. The main building was beautiful and very well maintained. Not too busy on the day we visited which was good.
Lê Quang Kiệt
It was so far the most beautiful and amazing shrine in Kyoto for us. In order to avoid the crowd, we visited it at 4.45pm, and we did not disappointed! No tour groups, no tourist flood, so we could slowly walk through the garden (which required an additional cost of JPY600pp), enjoyed the breeze, and admired the natural beauty. There were so many lovely corners in the garden. So mesmerizing, despi...
Henry
A really beautiful shrine with a big eye widening garden. This place is really good for forest bathing shinrin-yoku or just to be with friends and family. It has nice history. It costs 600 yen to enter the garden. Sadly the main shrine was under renovating. It was really fun to feed the fishes from the pavilion. They were really hungry. One bread piece costs 50+. Not many tourists
Fern Gleeson
Beautiful shrine and well worth 600 yen to enter the gardens they were beautiful! Very peaceful and full of birdlife. Plenty of benches to take a rest and toilets throughout. The stepping stones are fun!
Typical Budget for a Couple (2 Adults)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Shin-en Garden entry (2 adults) | JPY 1,200 |
| Private rickshaw tour | JPY 15,000 |
| Two omamori charms | JPY 1,000 |
| Total Estimated | JPY 17,200 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Heian-jingū Shrine
- Buy garden tickets in advance: Purchase Shin-en Garden tickets at the office early to avoid peak queues.
- Use exact cash: Ticket booths accept cash only; keep small bills or coins ready.
- Plan for illumination: Book night illumination tickets early (March–April) online to secure your slot.
Map of Heian-jingū Shrine
Address: 97 Okazaki Nishitennōchō, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8341, Japan
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About Heian-jingū Shrine
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+81 75-761-022110 BEST nearby Activities
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