Kyoto

Awata Shrine in Autumn

Beautiful autumn colors in Higashiyama

Cathy Cawood Sep 28, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>The main hall of the shrine is very pretty</p>

<p>Guarding the entrance to the shrine</p>

<p>Dark wood contrasts with the glowing colors of maple leaves</p>

<p>You can see the big red torii of Heian Jingu Shrine from here</p>

<p>I like this rough style of stone lantern</p>

<p>A glimpse of steps through a small torii</p>

<p>From this angle, the horse seems to be about to leap forward</p>

<p>Looking along the path down to the entrance</p>

Although this shrine is not one of Kyoto's more famous shrines, it is very old and interesting. It existed before Kyoto was built in 794, and Yoshitsune prayed to an Ebisu statue here for the restoration of the House of Genji. The Kyoto end of the Tokaido road began near here, and during the Edo period the god of Awata Shrine was considered the protector of the Eastern side of Kyoto. All that, and it looks stunning in the autumn sunshine.

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...