Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine

Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is a Tenmangu shrine in the heart of Kyoto City, located at the eastern end of Nishiki Market. It was founded in the early Heian period as a Tenmangu shrine at Sugawara-in, the birthplace of Sugawara no Michizane, famous as the deity of learning, and it was later moved to its current location as part of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s city planning. Though the precinct is about 200 tsubo in size, it blooms with seasonal flowers despite being in central Kyoto, and high-quality spring water known as "Nishiki no Mizu" wells up from underground. As the guardian shrine of one of the busiest downtown areas, it is worshipped by local residents and many tourists alike as a deity of "wisdom, learning, and business success," as well as a deity for good fortune, warding off misfortune, and protection from calamity. Loved as "Nishiki no Tenjin-san," it is a place where anyone can easily stop by. Extending west from Nishiki Tenmangu for about 390 meters is Nishiki Market, also called "Kyoto’s Kitchen," where more than 130 shops line both sides of a narrow street, including fishmongers, greengrocers, kombu shops, prepared-food vendors, pickle shops, and more. It is a market where you can feel Kyoto daily life through items such as Kyoto heirloom vegetables, yuba and tofu, river fish, and kitchen tools. Until around 11 a.m., many chefs also come here to purchase ingredients.