Shogo-in
Okazaki, Kyoto
- Daily
- 9:30 to 16:30
Hours are for the free areas. The autumn special opening runs 10 October to 6 December 2026 on set days, 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry).
Source: shogoin.or.jp, checked 11 Oct 2026.
Shogo-in is the head temple of the Honzan Shugen school, which once oversaw yamabushi mountain ascetics across Japan, founded in 1090 and rebuilt on this site in 1676. After the Great Tenmei Fire of 1788 burned the Imperial Palace, it served as Emperor Kokaku's temporary palace for about three years, and its halls are lined with Kano school paintings.
Insider tip
On ordinary days you can pray for free at the Fudo hall at the back of the garden. The halls themselves open only for the autumn special opening, 10 October to 6 December 2026, mostly Fridays to Sundays and holidays, for ¥800.
What's on at Shogo-in
Upcoming events at Shogo-in and within a ten-minute walk, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Shogo-in Monzeki Autumn Special Opening
聖護院門跡 秋の特別公開
Time 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry), open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays plus 21 and 22 Oct, closed 27 to 29 Nov Station Kumano Jinja-mae bus stop (City Bus 206, 31, 201, 203), about 4 min walk
The Kano school wall paintings of the main entrance, envoy room and shoin open on Fridays to Sundays and holidays, plus 21 and 22 Oct, with the normally closed Shinden hall and a show on Emperor Gomizuno-o. Closed 27 to 29 Nov.
663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0 Setsubun at Shogo-in
聖護院節分会
Time 9:00 to about 19:30, demon rite 13:00 on the 3rd Station Jingu-Marutamachi (Keihan Oto Line)
The Shinden hall, normally closed, opens free for the two days. On the 3rd mountain ascetics talk the demons round instead of chasing them out, and a big outdoor goma fire follows at 15:00.
663highland, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cherry Blossom Tea Gathering at Heian Jingu
平安神宮観桜茶会
Time 08:30 to 18:00 (last entry 17:30) Station Higashiyama Station (Tozai Line)
About 300 cherry trees in the Shinen garden, including the weeping Benishidare. Tea is served from 09:00 to about 15:30.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 Sakura Night Light-up and Weeping Cherry Concert at Heian Jingu
平安神宮 桜音夜（紅しだれコンサート）
Time Light-up 18:15 to 21:00 (last entry 20:30); concert from 18:00 Station Higashiyama Station (Tozai Line)
The red weeping cherries of the east and south gardens are lit from 18:15, with concerts staged from the guest hall at the east garden. Performers change by day.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 WONDER NIGHT JINGU Tsukihana at Heian Jingu
WONDER NIGHT JINGU 〜月華〜（平安神宮）
Time 17:30 to 21:30 (last entry 21:00) Station Higashiyama Station (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
An immersive light-up and night walk through the shrine grounds in autumn. General tickets are priced from ¥1,000 to ¥3,000 depending on the day, and inbound visitors pay ¥3,000 flat.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 Nearby
Around Okazaki
Art museums, Meiji gardens and Nanzen-ji along the Lake Biwa Canal
Okazaki is Kyoto's museum quarter. Two art museums sit either side of the approach to Heian Shrine, by its giant torii, and the zoo, a crafts museum and ROHM Theatre Kyoto are a few minutes away round Okazaki Park. Follow the Lake Biwa Canal east and you're at Nanzen-ji, with Eikan-do and Murin-an a short walk from its gate.
Okazaki has 27 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 9 shrines and temples, 6 museums, 4 restaurants, 2 cafes, 2 shops, 2 landmarks and 2 parks and gardens. Read the Okazaki guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Shogo-in?
- 15 Shogoin Nakamachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto (in Japanese: 京都市左京区聖護院中町15).
- What are the opening hours of Shogo-in?
- Daily 9:30 to 16:30. Hours are for the free areas. The autumn special opening runs 10 October to 6 December 2026 on set days, 10:00 to 16:00 (last entry).
- How do I get to Shogo-in?
- The nearest station is Jingu-Marutamachi (Keihan). Shogo-in is in Okazaki, Kyoto.
- How much does Shogo-in cost?
- Nothing. Shogo-in is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Shogo-in?
- Plan for 45 min.
- When is the best time to visit Shogo-in?
- Autumn special opening.
Stay near Shogo-in
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