Kyoto

<p>One of two lion-dog 'komainu' statues stands guard at the Gion-facing entrance to the shrine</p>

One of two lion-dog 'komainu' statues stands guard at the Gion-facing entrance to the shrine (Photo: Saskia Gilmour)

Kyoto

Yasaka Shrine in Twilight Hours

When the sun sets the magic comes alive

Saskia Gilmour Sep 11, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>One of two lion-dog 'komainu' statues stands guard at the Gion-facing entrance to the shrine</p>

<p>The crests of two buildings in the shrine complex stand in contrast against the cool-lit sky</p>

<p>Brightly lit lanterns line the way all across the grounds of the shrine</p>

<p>The wishes of the shrine's visitors are illuminated in the moonlight</p>

<p>Torii gates guard the sanctuaries of the shrine</p>

<p>Five lanterns hang lit in a row</p>

<p>The lanterns on the central stage glowing after dark</p>

<p>There is an eerie peacefulness to the pathways</p>

<p>The wishes of past visitors wait to be blessed</p>

<p>The 'temizura' where visitors to the shrine cleanse their hands and mouth before entering</p>

Typically many visitors to Gion crave its vivid night life, with its reputation as one of the greatest watering holes of Kyoto. Yet as the sun sets, the magic also awakens the heart of Yasaka Shrine. Standing as the central icon of Gion, the Shrine beckons passersby in for an unforgettable experience.

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Find out more about Yasaka Shrine.

Saskia Gilmour

Saskia Gilmour @saskia.gilmour

Saskia is an obsessive compulsive traveler with Japan as her #1 preferred destination. Her appreciation for Japan's unique culture was cultivated through several years of studying the language during high school and also an otaku phase about which she prefers to no longer speak.