Gion Shrine

Gion Shrine is a historic shrine in Hyogo Ward, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, enshrining Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Kushinadahime-no-Mikoto. Locals affectionately call it “Hirano no Gion-san.” To access the shrine, take Kobe City Bus Route 7 from JR Kobe Line Sannomiya Station, get off at the “Hirano” bus stop, and walk about 5 minutes; it is also about a 20-minute walk from Okurayama Station on the Kobe Municipal Subway. Until the Edo period, it was known as “Susanoo-sha,” or “Tenno-sha,” named after the river flowing beside it. Although people commonly called it “Gion-san,” that nickname became the official name in the Meiji era. The shrine is believed to be efficacious for warding off epidemics, preventing water-related disasters, dispelling misfortune, and fulfilling major wishes. A steep stone staircase of 88 steps leads up to the precinct; from the top, there is a superb viewpoint overlooking Kobe City. Gion Shrine is especially known for its annual Summer Festival (Gion Matsuri), held over eight days every July. More than 200 stalls line the grounds and surrounding area, and the festival draws large crowds not only from the local community but also from the wider Keihanshin region.