Hirano Shrine

Hirano Shrine is a historic shrine in Kita Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, enshrining four deities: Imaki-no-Sume-Okami, Kudo-Okami, Furuaki-Okami, and Hime-Okami. Originally worshipped within the imperial court at Heijo Palace, it was transferred to its current location at the same time as the capital was moved to Heian-kyo in Enryaku 13 (794). The main sanctuary, built in the early Edo period, is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Two main sanctuary buildings of the east-facing "Hirano-zukuri" style—each combining two halls into one—stand north–south, and the four enshrined deities are worshipped in order from the north. Hirano Shrine has long been famous for cherry blossoms. Today, the grounds are home to about 400 cherry trees of roughly 60 varieties. "Hirano’s Night Cherry Blossoms," which have been open to the public since the Edo period, are among Kyoto’s most iconic places for hanami. Because many different varieties are planted, visitors can enjoy the blooms over a long season of about a month and a half. On the second Sunday of odd-numbered months, the handmade market "Hirano Sakura-ichi" is held.