Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

北野天満宮

Head shrine of 12,000 Tenmangu shrines nationwide, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, deified as Tenjin, god of learning and scholarship. Founded 947. Famous for 1,500 plum trees (50 varieties) blooming late winter. Students nationwide visit to pray for exam success.

Visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour (2-3 hours during flea market)

Entrance: Shrine free, plum garden 1,000 yen (includes tea and sweets, Feb-Mar only)

Hours: 5:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Apr-Sep), 5:30 AM - 5:30 PM (Oct-Mar)

Highlights & Must-See Features

1,500 plum trees in 50 varieties (white, pink, red)
Learning deity shrine (students pray for exam success)
Monthly flea market on 25th (Tenjin-san, large and popular)
Beautiful autumn foliage (November)
Treasure House with National Treasures
Ox statues (messenger of Tenjin - rub head for intelligence)

📍 How to Get There

Nearest Station

Kitano Hakubai-cho Bus Stop (Buses 50, 101, 102, 203)

Step-by-Step Directions

1 From Kyoto Station: Bus 50 or 101 to Kitano Tenmangu-mae (30 minutes)
2 From Kinkaku-ji: Bus 101 or 102 (10 minutes, easy combination)
3 Monthly flea market on 25th (large, crowded, arrive early for treasures)
4 Free parking available but full on 25th and plum season

Location & Maps

🗺️ Interactive map - zoom and pan to explore

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Latitude: 35.03143

Longitude: 135.735512

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Best Time to Visit

Late February to mid-March for spectacular plum blossoms (1,500 trees). 25th of any month for large flea market (very popular). Autumn (November-early Dec) for maple trees.