Kyoto｜800-year-old 53-meter-tall cedar tree - the legend of Yuki Shrine to ward off evil

Yuki Shrine, located at the foot of Mt. Kurama, was actually first built in Kyoto during the Heian period. Later, due to the constant earthquakes in Kyoto, people's hearts were in turmoil. Emperor Suzaku ordered the Yuki Shrine to be moved here to guard the north of Kyoto. According to historical records, the procession to move the palace was one kilometer long, and the reeds of the Kamogawa River reflected the sunlight, as if they were burning torches for protection, which led to the "Kurama Fire Festival" held every October 22nd. Yuki Shrine enshrines Omi Takamikoto and Sukunahiko Namikoto, collectively known as Yuki Daimyojin, who are actually two of the three gods of pioneering. It can also be seen that the emperor wanted to calm people's hearts because of the turmoil caused by natural disasters in that era. There is a 53-meter-high cedar tree in front of the shrine, which has been here for 800 years. In the belief that all things have spirits, a small shrine was also built below for worship. Interestingly, if you look up from the torii gate, you can actually see three extremely tall cedar trees, like three incense sticks. 📍Address: 〒601-1111 1073 Kurama Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 🚗Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Station is a ten-minute walk away. #AprilGoodDestinations2025