Karasu Sumo Kamigamo Shrine

上賀茂神社烏相撲

For those interested in sumo with a twist, September 9 is the day to head out to Kamigamo Shrine.

Starting at 10 am, visitors will make an offering of chrysanthemum flowers at the main hall and then pray.

Following this ritual, the annual "Karasu" (crow) sumo tournament will be held. Neighborhood children don a loin cloth, enter the ring, and have a go.

The shrine is in the far north of Kyoto, but it is an easy ride and is accessible from the east side of the Kamo River.

Access

Kyoto City Bus #4, 46, get off at Kamigamo-jinja-mae
075 781 0011

Cyclists will find ample parking space in front of the shrine.


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Cycling Kyoto Kitayama to Kamigamo Shrine

自転車で北山から上賀茂神社へ

This week's cycling route is yet another Kitayama route.

Kitayama is a lovely area in north Kyoto and is north of downtown Kyoto.

A short bike ride north of Kitayama Subway Station, on the Kurasuma line, is Ota Shrine. This is a tiny Shinto shrine nestled against a mountain side. It is best known for its irises, which bloom in May.

From Ota Shrine, it is less than five minutes on bike to one of the city's most beautiful streets. Priests and others affiliated to Kamigamo Shrine live in large compounds behind walls that are separated from the road by a canal.

Just down the street from here is Kamigamo Shrine. Built in 678 C.E., it is a World Heritage Site and one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It has an expansive green lawn that is used in an annual Yabusame event - archery on horseback - during the Aoi Festival.

Back near Kitayama Station, is the elegant tree-lined boulevard Kitayama Dori. Next to the subway exit is the Kyoto Botanical Gardens. There is a small entrance fee. The land was given to the city by the Mitsui family in the 1913, and is spacious and beautiful.

Ride, Kamigamo, ride.

Information

Kamigamo Shrine
339 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto
075 781 0011

Entrance Fee: Free

Ota Shrine
340 Motoyama, Kamigamo, Kita-ku, Kyoto
075-781-0907

Entrance Fee: Free

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自転車で北山と上賀茂神社と大徳寺

自転車で北山と上賀茂神社と大徳寺へ

This route in north central Kyoto goes from Kitayama to Kamigamo Shrine. Kamoigamo is a World Heritage Site and one of the most famous places in Kyoto.

Located close to the Kamo River in the northern part of the city, it is a great, great ride.

For more information, in Japanese (with a link to an English page), here is a page on cycling northern Kyoto.

Ride Kamigamo Shrine, ride.


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Kamigamo Shrine