Kamigamo 上賀茂

Kamigamo is a neighborhood located along the Kamo River that runs north to south through the city of Kyoto. It is perhaps best known for Kamigamo-jinja Shrine and Shake-machi, a district full of the handsome residences of Shinto priests.

The area is best reached by bus.

Take bus 4 or 46 from Kyoto Station to the final stop, Kamigamo-jinja-mae.

Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is the oldest shrine in Kyoto , and, along with Shimogamo-jinja , was built in the latter half of the 7th century. Both shrines have been designated as World Heritage sites. There are over 34 structures in Kamigamo Shrine's vast grounds, including the famous Honden and Gonden halls.

The Aoi Matsuri , a festival that started in the mid-6th century, is one of the three major festivals in Kyoto , and is held in early summer, with Kamigamo Shrine as one of the key venues.

Along the Myojin River, flowing to the north of Kamigamo Shrine, is a neighborhood called Shake-machi, named for the thirty homes of Shinto priests connected to the shrine. The shake were built on stone foundations and are enclosed with earthen walls. The area is designated an Important Preservation District for groups of historic buildings.

To the east of the shrine is the Midoro Pond. About one kilometer in circumference, the pond is ringed by mountains on three sides, and is home to water plants such as junsai (water shield) and kingyo-mo, a kind of aquatic herb. This is an excellent bird-watching spot.