The town of Uji lies just south of Kyoto on the Ujigawa River. Though the town is small, it is home to two of the seventeen UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites. Ujigami-jinja Shrine sits among the trees on one side of the river, and Byodo-in Temple on the other. A visit to Uji to see these two world-class historical sites and walk along the Ujigawa river is worth the short trip outside of Kyoto and can be a very relaxing and rewarding time.
History
Ujigami-jinja Shrine was established in the late Heian Period. It is estimated that it was built around 1050. The Honden, or main building, has a unique design made up of three separate buildings all covered by one larger roof. It is a National Treasure and is said to be the oldest standing Shinto shrine in Japan. The deity for this shrine is housed in the Honden.
The Haiden hall is also extremely old and of an interesting design. It was constructed during the Kamakura Period and resembles a residential dwelling. It is older than all other standing Shinto shrine halls in Japan.
More History Next Door
Next to Ujigami-jinja is another site worth seeing on a trip to Uji. Uji-jinja is larger than Ujigami-jinja and is also worth a visit. The two shrines were originally part of the same shrine that was established to protect Byodo-in on the other side of the river. The two shrines were separated by a government ruling that separated many shrines and temples in the Kyoto area in the early 1800s.
CONSTRUCTION NOTICE:
The main Honden building at Ujigami-jinja is covered and closed for maintenance from January 2013 to December 2014.
Getting to Ujigami-jinja Shrine
From JR Kyoto Station
JR Nara Line to Uji Station
Walk 20 minutes
From Keihan Line Chushojima Station
Keihan Uji Line to Uji Station (end station)
Walk 10 minutes
Hours
9:00 – 16:30
Open all year
Fees
Entrance Fees: Free
Address
59 Uji-Yamada, Uji City, Kyoto
Telephone: 077-421-4634
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