Atago Shrine, Atago-no-mitsumairi

The information about Atago Shrine is presented here. Atago Shrine has long been said to have a sacred power for fire prevention, and “Hi-no-Yojin” fire prevention signs are often posted in the kitchens of homes and restaurants in Kyoto. Atago Shrine is also known as “Atago-no-mitsumairi. It is said that if a child visits Atago Shrine before the age of three, the child will be safe from fire for the rest of his or her life.

• Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions
• Shrine History
• Shrine Highlights

【Atago Shrine Location Map ＆ Directions】

Address: 1 Saga Atago-cho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
Access (How to get there): Kiyotaki bus stop (about 120 minutes on foot)

【Opening Hours ＆ Closed (confirmation required)】

Opening Hours: 9:00-16:00
Closed: open year round

【Entrance Fees ＆ Tickets (confirmation required)】

Individual: Free

【Atago Shrine History】

Mt. Atago-san, where Atago Shrine (愛宕神社) is built, was about 924 meters above sea level and is located on the border of Yamashiro and Tamba provinces. Mt. Atago-san is located in the northwest of Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, and the mountain straddles Kyoto City and Kameoka City, with the summit in Kyoto City. Mt. Atago-san has been revered since ancient times, along with Mt. Hiei-zan, which overlooks the northeastern Kyoto basin and is about 848 meters above sea level. Atago Shrine is said to have been founded in the Taiho period (701-704), when En-no-Gyoja (En-no-Oduno), the founder of the Shugendo sect, and Taicho, the Founding Mt. Haku-san and known as Koshi-no-Daitoku, received permission from the imperial court to build a shinbyo (shrine) on Mt. Atago-san. Atagosan Shindo Engi” and “Yamashiro Meisho-shi” describe the history of Hakuun-ji Temple, the predecessor of Atago Shrine. In 781, Keishun revived shinbyo (shrine), and later Wake-no-Kiyomaro, who protected the imperial lineage during the Usa Hachimangu Shintaku Jiken (incident), built Hakuun-ji Temple on Mt. Atago-san, which is said to be Atago Daegongen, the dojo for the guardianship of the nation. Incidentally, it is said that five temples (Hakuun-ji Temple, Tsukinowa-dera Temple, Jingan-ji Temple (Jingo-ji Temple), Nichirin-ji Temple, and Denpo-ji Temple) were built on Mt. Atago-san, modeled after Mt. Godai-san in China. Hakuun-ji Temple (Atago Shrine) was worshipped as a reijo (sacred place) for the Shugendo sect. Honden (Main Shrine) enshrined Shogun Jizo, and Okunoin (Wakamiya Shrine) enshrined Tengu Tarobo of Mt. Atago-san. In the early Heian period (around the 9th century), Mt. Atago-san was considered one of the shichikouzan (seven high mountains) along with Mt. Hiei-zan, Mt. Hira-san, Mt. Ibuki-yama, Mt. Kinpu-sen, Mt. Katsuragi-san, and Mt. Kabu-san. In the middle of the Heian period (794-1185), the “Engishiki Jinmeicho” is described as “Atago Shrine, Kuwata District, Tamba Province”, but Atago Shrine is said to be Atago Shrine (Moto Atago) in Kameoka City. According to legend, Atago Shrine in Kameoka City was established as a shrine in the ancient times of the gods, and the shrine building is said to have been built in 507. It is said that Atago Shrine was burned down during the Onin War (1467-1477) in the middle of the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and was subsequently rebuilt by Hosokawa Katsumoto, the general of the To-gun (Eastern Army). It is said that Akechi Mitsuhide visited Atago Shrine in May 1582 and drew a lot to predict whether or not he would attack Oda Nobunaga, and that he drew good luck for the fourth time after three times of bad luck. The trail leading to Mt. Atago-san from the Kameoka direction is also called “Akechi-goe” in reference to Akechi Mitsuhide. Atago Shrine suffered frequent fires during the Edo period (1603-1867), and the current shrine building is said to have been rebuilt after a fire in 1800. In the Edo period, jubo (monk’s quarters) such as Shochi-in Temple, Kyogaku-in Temple, Daizen-in Temple, Itoku-in Temple, and Fukuju-in Temple were built. After the Meiji Restoration, due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism and Haibutsukishaku, Hakuun-ji Temple was abolished and became Atago Shrine. The main statue of Shogun Jizo was moved to Konzo-ji Temple in Oharano, Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto City. In addition, Atago Shrine enshrines Izanami no mikoto, etc., in Honden.
*reference・・・Atago Shrine website

【Atago Shrine Highlights (May be undisclosed)】

★It is said that Honden (main shrine, 本殿), Okumiya (奥宮), and other shrine buildings were destroyed by fire in 1800 and later rebuilt. Honden enshrines Izanami no mikoto, Haniyamahime no mikoto, Ameno Kumahito no mikoto, Wakumusubi no kami, and Toyoukebime no mikoto. Wakamiya (若宮) enshrines Ikazuchi no kami, Kagutsuchi no mikoto, and Hamushi no kami. Okumiya enshrines Okunimushi no mikoto, Goo Shrine (Emperor Konin, Keitoshi, and Wake no Kiyomaro), etc., a total of 17 gods.

【Events (confirmation required)】

★Sennichimairi (千日詣り) is held every year from July 31st to August 1st. It is said that worshippers who visit Atago Shrine between yuumike-sai (evening service) on July 31st and asamike-sai (morning service) on August 1st will be blessed with fire prevention for 1,000 days. You can also purchase a fire prevention charm at night.

【Flower Calendar (cherry blossoms, etc )】

★The best time to see autumn leaves (紅葉) is from mid-October to early November. Maple trees, ginkgo trees, and other trees are distributed in the districts, and it is said that the scenery of the autumn leaves, approaches and districts is beautiful. You can also enjoy the red carpet-like maple that has fallen to the ground.
(The best time to see the plants depends on the climate of the year.)

【Telephone (Please refrain from making phone calls.)】

Tel: +81-75-462-6540

【Recommended Walking Route】

The recommended walking route from Atago Shrine is to walk to the nearest bus stop, Kiyotaki. Since Atago Shrine is quite far from the city center and there are not many tourist attractions in the area, it may be better to go to the next tourist attraction and explore the surrounding area.

【Remarks（access, parking, disclaimer, etc）】
If you plan to visit Atago Shrine, be sure to check the latest information.