What other travelers are saying about Ujigami Shrine
Ujikami-jinja is one of the oldest and most treasured Shintō shrines in Japan, a place filled with an aura of serenity and spiritual depth.
Unlike the grand, almost palatial Byōdō-in across the river, Ujikami Shrine captivates with its simplicity, wood, and silence, which seem unchanged for more than a thousand years.
Ujikami-jinja was most likely built around 1060, during the late Heian period, as a guardian shrine (chinju-sha) for the Byōdō-in temple on the opposite bank.
According to tradition, it is dedicated to three deities (kami): Ōjin Tennō – the legendary emperor later revered as Hachiman, the god of war, and his two sons – Uji no Wakiiratsuko and Uji no Wakiiratsuhiko, whose names are linked to the city of Uji.
The main hall (honden) of Ujikami-jinja is the oldest surviving example of Shintō architecture in Japan (dated to around 1060).
Built of cypress wood and roofed with bark shingles (hiwadabuki), it represents the essence of the nagare-zukuri style — flowing roofs, open form, and absence of ornamentation.
It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994 together with Byōdō-in.
Inside, three sanctuaries stand side by side — one for each deity. This rare layout reflects the early attempt to express the idea of harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.
At the entrance stand two komainu (狛犬) — the mythical lion-dogs guarding sacred sacred spaces in Shintō tradition.
One has its mouth open, forming the sound “A”, symbolizing the beginning; the other’s mouth is closed, forming “Un”, symbolizing the end.
Together they represent “A-Un no kokyū”, the breath of life itself — the eternal rhythm of creation and return.
Such a beautiful shrine hidden away in the quiet of the forest - it felt like stepping back centuries in time. Highly recommend adding it to your itinerary, plus the walk to get there from Uji station is worth the trip itself.
This is a small shrine located a short walk from the Byodoin shopping street. It's a short walk uphill with a few Tori gates. This shrine is serene and peaceful as is further from the crowd. It is believed to be one of the oldest shrines and is an Unesco Heritage building. Further down the road is the Uji Shrine leading to to the Byodoin Temple and The Tale of Genji Museum.Don't give it a miss if you are visiting Uji. There is no entrance fee.
As kousaka reina says, this is my favorite shrine since it feels more mature and refined. The surroundings are tranquil and the shrine has atmosphere i only feel on this particular shrine 😊
Normal small shrine, less than 10 minutes time to visit and free parking
No, admission to Ujigami Shrine is completely free. As an active Shinto shrine, the grounds remain open to visitors and worshippers without charge. You can explore the exterior architecture, worship at the halls, and visit the sacred spring at no cost, making it an accessible cultural experience in Uji.
Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Uji Station, which takes approximately 30 minutes. From Uji Station, the shrine is a 10-minute walk. Alternatively, you can use Keihan Uji Station, which is also about 10 minutes on foot from the shrine. The shrine sits near the Uji River's eastern bank, close to Byōdō-in Temple, making both attractions convenient to visit in one trip.
Kirihara-mizu is a natural spring within the shrine grounds, recognized as one of Uji's historic pure waters. It has been celebrated for its water quality since ancient times and remains accessible to visitors.
Yes. Byōdō-in Temple is a short walk away and the two sites are commonly visited together. Uji also features tea shops and other cultural sites concentrated in the same historic district.
