Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

It only took like 20 minutes to see the whole Zuiki matsuri parade. So that left me plenty of time to have a little walk around the area and take a couple of pictures of the shrine.

The Kitano Tenmangu shrine got established in the tenth century, and is the patron saint of students, who flock here from all over the country to pray for success in examinations.

On the 25th of each month they have a huge flea market (known as Tenjin-san to the locals) on the shrine grounds. If you happen to be there in Kyoto around this date then it might be a fun thing to check it out!

Kitano Tenmangu is also famous for its plum blossoms which can be seen in their full glory usually in February or early March. The shrine was built in honor of poet and scholar Sugawara no Michizane. Sugawara fell out of favor with the ruling Fujiwara clan and as a result of political maneuvers was exiled to Kyushu. After his death, severe earth-quakes and thunderstorms did constant damage in the home provinces, and it was thought commonly that these were the result of his wrath. The Imperial Court granted him the post-humous title of Karai TenJin, or God of Fire and Thunder.

Website: The official website of the shrine is here (also has some info in English) and as always Wikipedia has some excellent info too.

Transport: Bus #50 from Kyoto station: #59 from central Kyoto; #201 from Keihan Demachiyanagi. The shrine is also a short walk from the Kitano Hakubaicho terminus on the Keifuku line. Or come by car, plenty of parking available at the shrine.