World Heritage Shimogamo Shrine VIP "Prayer and Special Viewing" Tour
Highlights of the tour
At the World Heritage site Shimogamo Shrine
A special prayer
The official visit to Shimogamo Shrine and special preview tour are special tours that are not open to the general public and are given to dignitaries, including royal families from around the world, and other dignitaries.
After purifying themselves at the Chozuya (purification fountain), participants will ascend to the Reiden (prayer hall) where their names will be read out to the gods and a prayer will be offered just for the tour participants.
Furthermore, this is a VIP tour where a priest will guide you through the normally unopened Shinto altar, the throne where the Emperor sits when he visits, and the main hall, providing commentary on each part.
Finally, you will be treated to tea and sweets in the rest area, and this special plan, original to our company, also includes a souvenir called oshiage.
Tour details
*It varies depending on the number of participants and tour plan. Please refer to the reservation details page for more information.Reservation details page .
Tour Includes
- Explanation of shrine etiquette by a priest
- Formal worship (prayer for safe travels)
- Special viewing (Main hall, Oiden Hall, Goshasha, Shinfukuden Hall, Akanzu no Ma and the Throne Room)
- Kamosha Museum Hidehosha admission ticket
- Enjoy some mochi and tea at the Saruya rest area.
- Items removed (sacred sake, amulets, etc.)
- Photo download service
- Travel insurance designated by our company
Tour Conditions
- For groups of 6 or more, only one item will be removed per group.
- Groups of 6 or more will not be entertained at Saruya.
- Please note that Saruya Rest Area may not be able to accommodate your request depending on the day.
- Free for ages 0-5, adult price for ages 6 and over
Tour value
The oldest shrine in Japan
Shimogamo Shrine
Shimogamo Shrine was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1994. It is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, said to have been founded before Christ, and is a shrine associated with the Imperial family, to which the Emperor sends his envoys.
The main deities enshrined at Shimogamo Shrine are Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto and Tamayorihime no Mikoto, and they have been worshiped as the guardian deities of Kyoto since ancient times.
It is also known as a shrine for warding off evil and bringing people together, and is visited by many people.
General worship and
What is a formal visit?
There are two ways to visit Shimogamo Shrine: general visitation and formal visitation.
A typical public visit involves putting a coin into the offering box in front of the worship hall, clapping your hands, and bowing.
On the other hand, formal visits are made when making special prayers and involve going up to the worship hall, which is normally off-limits to the public. These formal visits are also held when the Emperor, politicians, business leaders, and other VIPs from around the world visit.
