Kitano Tenmangu Shrine - Kyoto

Located at Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City in Kyoto Prefecture, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (北野天満宮) is one of the most important of the several hundred shrines across Japan that are dedicated to Sugawara no Michazane who was known as a great scholar, poet, and politician. He is associated with Tenjin who is a Shinto god of education.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (北野天満宮)

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine History

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was built in 947 to appease the angry spirit of Sugawara no Michazane whose death in exile was said to have brought drought and plagues to Japan. Years after its construction, the shrine became an object of Imperial patronage during the early Heian period. In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers, called heihaku, to report important events to the guardian kami of Japan in the belief that they'd get the message across. In 991, Emperor Ichijo added three more shrines to the list. This includes Kitano Tenmangu Shrine.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine - Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Sugawara no Michizane

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine was officially designated as one of the Kanpei-chusha which lasted from 1871 to 1946. This means, that it stood in the second rank of government-supported shrines. In 1952, the outdoor tea ceremony was started as part of the big festival that marks the 1050th death anniversary of Michizane. This ceremony can still be seen in the present during the Plum Blossom Festival which is held every February 25. Speaking of plum blossoms, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine's grounds are filled with red and white ume or plum blossom. These are said to be Michizane's favorite tree. 

Aside from the plum trees here are other things to see in this historic shrine:

Kitano Tenmangu Main Shrine

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine Romon Gate

Sankomon Gate

Homutsuden (Treasure Hall)

Kitano Tenmangu ema display place

Fukubesha

Nomi-Sukune Jinja Shrine

Shinmei-sha Shrine

The cow of Baiko-sui (Chozu-sha)

Presently, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is a very popular shrine for students. They often visit to pray for success in exams because they believe that the deity enshrined here was a man of literature and knowledge. 

Check out those students availing of the blessed school materials

The students and visitors take turns shaking the rope to rattle the bell at the end of it 

My family and I got to visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on the 6th day of our 2018 Japan Trip. We got to visit it thanks to our good friend Gil who accompanied us and got me excited to visit other must-see destinations that are not on my itinerary. During our visit, there was a large crowd of students visiting the shrine. I noticed that there were also some "booths" set up inside the shrine vicinity offering to bless pens and other school-related items of the students. There were also some "booths" that sold blessed items.  Well. I guess there's a big exam coming up. 

My wife posing in front of the Munukata-sha Shrine

Anyway, we spent quite some time in this shrine, as it was noontime and we wanted to rest a bit after exploring two big temple complexes prior to this visit. We also had lunch here. Special thanks to Gil for the delicious meal that she brought  After lunch Gil had to go ahead as she was needed in the school of her son. My family and I continued on to our next destination afterward. 

Team Nicerio explores Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

Passed one of the stone torii on our way out

Overall, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is one of those shrines that you should visit when you are in Kyoto City. Aside from having free admission, you'd also fall in love with the nature surrounding it. If you visit sometime around February, you'd also get the chance to see the beautiful Plum blossom too. Aside from that, you could even attend the festival and flea market held every 25th of February.

Kitano Tenmangu Admission Fee:

It is FREE to enter and explore Kitano Tenmangu Shrine grounds. However, you can leave donations in the coin boxes in front of the main shrine and sub-shrines.

Kitano Tenmangu Opening Hours:

Kitano Tenmangu is open from 6:30 AM to 5PM every day.

Why visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine?

If you believe in divine interventions and luck then visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine before you take your exam. Who knows you might pass the exam (but make sure to study too). 

Getting to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine:

From Kyoto Station, ride the Kyoto City Bus number 50 or 101. It will bring you directly to the shrine.

Another option during rush hours is to take the Karasuma Subway Line to Imadegawa Station and catch the 102 or 203 bus to the shrine. In either case, get off at the Kitano Tenmangumae bus stop. 

Ratings:

Crowd

Cleanliness

Overall ratings