Waraten Shrine

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

Hidden amidst the vibrant tapestry of Kyoto, the Waraten Shrine beckons with a story waiting to be unveiled. Just a short stroll from the famed Kinkakuji Temple, along Kinukake-no-michi and south on Nishioji-dori, you’ll find this gem. Locals often refer to it as Wara Tenjin, a name so ingrained that even the bus stop bears its mark. Waraten Shrine is dedicated to Princess Konohana, a deity revered for her association with easy childbirth. The shrine grounds hold a fascinating secret. Look closely and you’ll discover the Rokusho Shrine, a unique structure housing six enshrined deities together: Ise, Iwashimizu, Kamo, Matsuo, Inari, and Kasuga. Within Waraten Shrine’s embrace lies the Aya Sugi Myojin. This isn’t your typical shrine feature. Originally a towering cedar tree, a fierce Meiji-era storm fractured its mighty trunk. The remaining stump, imbued with a sense of resilience and history, became enshrined as the Aya Sugi Myojin. The great poet Motosuke Kiyohara, father of the renowned female writer Seishonagon, immortalized the original cedar in a poem featured in the Shui waka-shu, a treasured collection of Japanese poetry. The spirit of the ancient cedar lives on at Waraten Shrine, a testament to nature’s power and the enduring reverence of Japanese tradition.

After discovering the story of Waraten Shrine in Kyoto, you may wonder how to explore even more of what this vibrant destination has to offer. Explory makes it simple: our digital guide gives you instant access to the city’s culture, history, and unique atmosphere. With our interactive city guide, you can uncover the background of Kyoto while following engaging routes designed for curious travelers. Whether you’re on a short trip or staying longer, Explory transforms your visit into a personalized city tour that connects stories with places in an intuitive way. Explory is more than just an ordinary travel tool – it is your companion for deeper exploration of Kyoto. Each guide combines expert storytelling with easy navigation, allowing you to discover well-known highlights and hidden gems that most visitors overlook. With the city guide, you can plan your route across landmarks, neighborhoods, and cultural spots, all enriched by immersive audio storytelling. Our audio guide brings the atmosphere of Kyoto directly to your ears, making each step of your journey more meaningful. Whether you are passionate about art, architecture, history, or everyday culture, Explory helps you connect with the spirit of Kyoto. The carefully curated guide highlights what makes this city special, while the interactive city tour lets you explore on your own terms. Thanks to our focus on exploration and unique hidden gems, you’ll enjoy a travel experience that goes far beyond traditional sightseeing. Explory turns every visit into a memorable adventure where stories and places come alive. Download the Explory App now to continue your journey beyond Kyoto. Inside the app, you’ll find over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories waiting for you. Whether you are searching for a smart audio guide, planning your next city tour, or simply looking for inspiration through a rich guide, Explory is your key to exploring the world differently. Start today and unlock the full potential of Kyoto with Explory – your ultimate travel companion.

More Places in Kyoto

Yeusefiya Cemetery

Were these once vibrant lives, now commemorated beneath our feet? We stand before the Yeusefiya Cemetery, a place where history

Explore

耿辛庄桥

Across the Jiuduhe River stands the majestic Luoshen Bridge. Its elegant arches whisper tales of emperors and dynasties. Luoshen Bridge

Explore

Zion Baptist Church

Founded in 1882 Zion Baptist Church stands proudly in Philadelphia. It’s a testament to faith resilience and community. This wasn’t

Explore

Boat house

The clean lines and simple elegance of the Bauhaus movement are all around us here in Tel Aviv. And yet,

Explore