Shimogamo Shrine
11 people recommendvia r/JapanTravelTips, r/KyotoTravel, r/Kyoto11 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many visitors recommend Shimogamo Shrine, and several find it calmer than Kyoto's busiest spots. One visitor says the small zodiac shrines and water-reading omikuji are a highlight, and another likes its Kamo family history. One visitor notes it sits away from the main sights, while another expects the autumn colors to be stunning.
Address
Shimogamo Shrine, 59 Shimogamo Izumikawacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-0807, Japan
At a glance
- Known for
- Zodiac sign shrines for prayer, Water reading omikuji
- Crowds
- Quiet
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Shimogamo Shrine, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/1017kristen377 in r/JapanTravelTips · Mar 2024
Says the visit was worthwhile and feels it gets too little attention.
- Recommendsu/epicgaymerreddit in r/KyotoTravel · Mar 2025uniqueness
Recommends Shimogamo shrine as easy to reach, with quirky sub-shrines to see inside.
- Recommendsu/wildgunhuang in r/Kyoto · Oct 2024uniqueness
Likes Shimogamo for the Kamo family history, which predates Kyoto itself.
- Recommendsu/sh1bumi in r/Kyoto · Oct 2024uniqueness
Their favourite shrine; praises the zodiac-linked small shrines and water-reading omikuji there.
- Recommendsu/appelflappentap in r/KyotoTravel · Mar 2025crowds
Describes Shimogamo as lovely and well known, but not overrun by visitors.
- Recommendsu/kmrbtravel in r/JapanTravelTips · Jul 2025access
Calls it a major local icon few tourists reach because it's far from main sights; says it's a nice shrine.
- Recommendsu/SkunkArmsCT in r/JapanTravelTips · Jun 2026
Recommended as a second shrine worth visiting alongside the one they liked.
- Recommendsu/luciacooks in r/JapanTravel · Nov 2025crowds
Says they like the area around the shrine and find it calmer than busier spots.
Show all 11 cited comments
- Recommendsu/ComprehensiveYam in r/KyotoTravel · Nov 2025seasonality
Expects autumn colours to make it stunning and says few people visit.
- Recommendsu/Carving_Light in r/JapanTravel · Jan 2025crowds
Saw very few tourists, with locals busy preparing ahead of the new year.
- Recommendsu/NorthLucky2139 in r/JapanTravel · Nov 2025
Lists it as a shrine they enjoyed, beyond the usual headline spots.
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Freshness
Details last checked 3 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.