MATSUO SHRINE, my favorite in Kyoto

Many only go to ARASHIYAMA and SAGA to see bamboo forests and take a stroll. Perhaps a hike up to IWATAYAMA to see snow monkeys. But I go to MATSUO JINJA Shinto shrine. You can easily go there by HANKYU train which also takes you to arashiyama. 

This relatively quiet shrine has a long history, older than capital Kyoto. On the mountain at the rear of the shrine is a natural rock formation where the invisible divine comes down and possesses the rocks as their seats. The shrine has a number of old wooden Shinto statues made under the influence of Buddhism exhibited in their treasure room. 

In addition, the gardens designed by SHIGEMORI Mirei are so interesting. If you are a garden lover, you should check him out. The shrine is a tutelary shrine for sake breweries because the divinity enshrined there are believed to be a sake making guardian. A little sake museum stands on the premises. So much to appreciate and talk about in a quiet comfortable setting. I love the shrine.

 

    The year of the rooster, special exhibit

 Graceful meandering stream 

 The garden of spontaneity 

 

    Reminder of an ancient garden but with contemporary feelings

 

   And the garden behind a dumpling store, hard to find