Heian Jingu Shrine and Garden in Kyoto, Japan

Day 6 in Nara: New Miyako Hotel, A review - HEIAN JINGU SHRINE - Nanzenji temple and grounds - Nijojyo Castle - Golden Pavilion Temple

Can you hear the rustling of the leaves?
I paused...
The lush green leaves swayed gently in the afternoon breeze,
Silent and peaceful, yes... that was all that I could hear.

Today, was our last day in Japan. After being picked up by stardust, dot at 8 in the morning, we soon set off to tick the first place from our to-see list in Kyoto – The Heian Jingu Shrine and garden.

The Heian Jingu Shrine


Listed as one of the important cultural properties of Japan, Heian shrine is a relatively modern Shinto Shrine built in the year 1895. What sets it apart though, is it’s dramatic color composition and it's huge torrii at the entrance.
 
The huge torrii of the Heian jingu shrine, Kyoto in Japan
The huge torrii at the entrance

This enormous Torrii brightly washed in a coat of orange leads you to an open courtyard with shrine buildings painted in beautiful contrasts of orange, white and green making the entire composition look absolutely amazing!

The main hall and other buildings in the courtyard at the Heian Jingu shrine, Kyoto in Japan
The shrine grounds

However beautiful as it might have looked from the distance where we stood, we still gave it a fleeting glance and instead opted to spend some more time in the adjacent garden that are often found as a part of many shrines and temples in Japan.

The Heian Jingu Shrine Garden

Surrounding the shrine building is a typical Japanese garden – abounding in carefully manicured trees with artistically inclined branches, pond flowers in various stages of their bloom, fishes and turtles to feed to and a lot of beauty and harmony.

We walked on it’s pebbled paths under the thatched bamboo roofs beneath the vast expanse of the cluster of the trees above,

Cluster of trees at the Heian Jingu shrine garden, Kyoto in Japan

We sat in the shade of elegance of one of the ancient buildings,

Old buildings at the Heian Jingu shrine garden, Kyoto in Japan

We amazed at the complete artistry of it’s picture,

Pond at the Heian Jingu shrine garden, Kyoto in Japan
Pond at the Heian Jingu shrine garden, Kyoto in Japan

And then, we paused...

Basking in it’s tranquility... soaking in the beauty of it’s views,

White Lotus in bloom, Heian Jingu shrine garden, Kyoto in Japan
Lake at Heian Jingu shrine, Kyoto in Japan

And losing ourselves...

To, the rustling rhythm of the leaves...

Rustling leaves at Heian Jingu shrine garden, Kyoto in Japan

To, the melody of nature.

Previous Posts from the Japan Trip -

1. Planning for Japan: Visa, Flight Bookings, Hotel Reservations, etc.
2. Sunrise pictures from the flight to Japan
3. Entire Day 1 of Japan (includes Review of Hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi, Tokyo, Expedia Japan Office Meet: An Afternoon to Remember)

4. Entire Day 2 of Japan (includes SensoJi temple: Asakusa - Tokyo, Nakamise Dori Shopping Arcade in Tokyo, Sumida River Cruise, Tokyo, A Stroll in the Hibiya Gardens, Imperial Palace and East Gardens, The Tokyo Tower, Japan)

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60 Comments

  1. The bamboo roof is very cool, and the water lilies. Really, the beauty here is timeless. Most of the shots you can not tell when or what year, it could be hundreds of years ago. I didn't see one single thing that would be a marker of the year, truly a timeless post.

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  2. Beautiful gardens and such a perfect place to feel the sense of peace. Your photos are the next best thing to being there -- as I'm sure I've told your before!! Hope you have a lovely weekend, Arti!!

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  3. Astounding views... Absolutely picturesque...

    Lovely write up, Arti... Almost makes me feel like I am there...

    P.S. If a shrine made in 1895 is relatively modern, wonder what ancient would look like :)

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  4. Dear ARti, thank you for visiting today! And for posting these beautiful, luscious gardens. I so miss fresh green leaves at the moment, Have a lovely day!

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  5. Your words and photos offer a poetic glimpse of this beautiful shrine, Arti. I believe I visited there, many,many years ago.

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  6. lovely description decorated with enchanting pictures.

    Thanks a lot,Arti.

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  7. These shots are just stunning! So much peace and beauty.

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  8. @Arti another beautiful post, great description and awesome photographs. Thank you so much :)

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  9. What an explosion of blues and greens! You're lucky. :)

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  10. What a nice photos  The Shirine ground is very large  

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  11. So beautiful, at the moment my whole self longs for the harmony that seems to surround this place.

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  12. I like the 'greenliness' in these shots! Terrific captures!

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  13. I love all your photos which speak all about the garden even without your poetic words.

    Yoko

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  14. Lovely pics of pristine beauty and an engrossing narrative, Arti!!

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  15. I loved the opening lines and the way you used one liners to describe the shots. Shots are lovely and you gave all of us a virtual treat.

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  16. Hello Arti, nice to meet you, I look forward to discovering your blog :)

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  17. How lovely to have this tranquil beautiful spot as your final destination on a wonderful trip. Couldn't be more perfect.

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  18. How gorgeous! It looks like a peaceful, tranquil place to visit. Your photography is really wonderful. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

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  19. I love how you pay attention to the details of this itinerary. I would love to spend about a month in the Spring, I have two cousins in Japan, but don't quite know which city they live.

    Thanks for stopping by. I already took away the widget on location.

    Enjoy your weekend, so will I be exploring the mountains so I can share more photos.

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  20. Arti,
    This is one of my favorite gardens! The beauty of nature is condensed in this garden and gives us tranquility and serenity. It is an euphoric moment to stay here in such a beautiful day!
    I always wish there were more Japanese gardens in Nara like this.
    All your photos make me want to visit this shrine again and again.
    Have a great weekend!
    keiko

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  21. Really nice feel to the words... Made me feel like I was there.. .

    http://journeyintrance.blogspot.in/2013/02/date-with-dolphins.html

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  22. I too felt like I was walking long side of you.
    Happy weekend to you :)

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  23. How beautiful!
    I really would love to visit Kyoto one day...there's a temple I'd enjoy seeing and a tea shop I would buy tea from.

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  24. Hi. Beautiful photo series of Heian Jingu. My wife and I went this shrine as this new year holiday tour. It was very cold. So we did not enter in this garden. I want to this garden someday.
    Your water lily photo is stunning beautiful. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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  25. beautiful place looks like heven

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  26. simply beautifully captured shots...lovely place!

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  27. such an amazing shots you took .. beautifully written !

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  28. Excellent virtual tour, as usual! Love the wonderful, green scenery.

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  29. No one creates a garden quite like the Japanese. Complete tranquility and beauty! Thanks for the wonderful tour!

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  30. Beautiful gardens and water features. :)

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  31. Your photos are very beautiful. You catch the beauty points in japanese garden. I thought I will visit to that garden again.
    Have a lovely week!

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  32. I love Japanese gardens and shrine grounds. This one is beautiful especially the lily ponds and all the Japanese elements. We didn't make it to Kyoto unfortunately so thanks for sharing these for inspiration.

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  33. Excellent photographs.. Loved it

    http://keigetswings.blogspot.in/2013/02/day-4-train-travel-and-surat-thani-to.html

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  34. I can hear the melody of nature, the rustling leaves and the peacefulness the place emanates from your words and beautiful images...I wish I could one day explore such grandiose places with a wonderful soul like you :) Happy weekend Arti! :)

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  35. The shrine looks so beautiful, picturesque and modern in-spite of being more than a 100 years old. :) Trees with bamboo roofs was quite interesting, but didn't understand what purpose they would serve though. Always a pleasure taking a wonderful virtual journey with you, Arti. Waiting for the Melbourne series. :)

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    1. I think the bamboos are used to support and keep the trees in their position. I found them increasing the aesthetic appeal too :)

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  36. This area is huge with lots of open space and tranquil places relax.

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  37. Built in 1895 and looking pretty modern to me.
    The grounds are so beautiful and do lush.
    Thanks for sharing this one, Arti.

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  38. May never be there, but if I ever would, there would be a feeling of deja vu. You took us along your trip. When does the next yatra begin?

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    1. Glad to see you after long. About next yatra, I myself have no clue but might take a break after this series.

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  39. Beautiful pics. Am glad I found your blog.

    Geetashree

    http://www.panaecea.wordpress.com

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  40. Hi Arti,

    It was wonderfull to read all your post of japan, each unique yet had a common thread of peace and love radiating of a country that is not only beautiful but filled with beautiful hospitable people. I totally now realize how they are both interconnected.

    All you posts of japan have inspired me to visit this beautiful country and hopefully I will visit it one day.

    Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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  41. Superb beautiful temple , equally wonderful surrounding . Lovely pictures to summarizes it .

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  42. Wow...amazing pictures, all green and lush. Tranquil place. Hope you had a peaceful time there, Arti!

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  43. My dear friend Artie
    I saw all your posts on Japan and was thrilled!
    Very nice pictures and very interesting information!
    I have a blog-friend from Nara. Take a look at the blog, you will love it!

    http://stardustenglishwriting.blogspot.gr/

    Many greetings and kisses

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  44. Wonderful shrine and an even beautiful greenery... Must applaud the people maintaining it! Kudos! :)

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  45. Beautiful shots of shrine and garden.

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  46. wow, that garden looks so scenic... guess u can spend whole day out there...

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  47. beautiful place nice captures with details !! Lovely post Arti !!

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  48. you dont really see much of picturesque locations of Japan in bollywood movies. Its a real pleasure exploring Japan through your post. Loved it!

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  49. A nice place full of greenery.... Thanks for this nice share....

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  50. Loved the Heian Jingu Shrine Garden... Your pics reflect thier tranquility... :)

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  51. You are doing a wonderful job, loved the white Lilly pond :)

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