Kifune Shrine
京都市左京区鞍馬貴船町180Open in Google Maps ↗Official site ↗
Kifune Shrine, at 180 Kurama-Kibune-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, is the head shrine of the water deities worshipped at some 2,000 shrines across Japan. The main shrine is open 6:00–20:00 (1 May–30 November), all year round, with free admission. It offers the water oracle slips, whose text appears when floated on water. Parking is very limited; the shrine recommends public transport.
Before you go
Kifune Shrine enshrines the god of water, source of all life, and is the head shrine of the water deities counted at 2,000 shrines nationwide (official). Its founding date is unknown, but records of shrine rebuilding go back some 1,300 years, making it one of Japan's oldest shrines.
The shrine says rebuilding records already existed in 686 (Hakuho 6), some 1,300 years ago, with the founding older still.
- Water oracle slips: the omikuji whose text surfaces when floated on water (available during visiting hours).
- Tanabata bamboo decoration light-up (1 July–15 August, sunset to 20:00).
- Main shrine and inner shrine, each with its own lot (8 and 10 spaces).
- Free admission, open every day of the year.
- Getting there
- About 40 minutes north of Kyoto Station (about 18 km, official). Parking is ¥1,000 per 2 hours with very few spaces; the shrine recommends public transport.
- Booking
- Admission is free and no reservation is needed (official: open year-round, no admission fee).
What are the visiting hours?
Main shrine 6:00–20:00 (1 May–30 November), open every day (official).
Is there an admission fee?
No, visiting is free (official).
What is the water oracle?
An omikuji slip whose text appears when floated on water, available during visiting hours (official).
Can I drive there?
Parking is ¥1,000 per 2 hours with only 8 spaces at the main shrine and 10 at the inner shrine; the shrine recommends public transport (official).
Sources Kifune Shrine official site · Access (official)
Location & getting there
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