Photos

Many people usually connects Shinto shrines with the torii, a freestanding gate with two overhead crossbars or lintels. A gate such as this usually stands at the entrance of the approach to a shrine.

Heian Shrine has an enormous torii (its height is 24.4 meters) in the form of a towering, vivid vermilion gate. Seen here is the reflection of the torri in the Okazaki Canal just outside the gate of the shrine.

Apart from history, there is another interesting background story to the building of Heian Shrine. In the late 19th century, Kyoto had seriously declined because the capital had been transferred to Tokyo. As a result, Kyoto's population had decreased, and the city had become spiritless. By building a new and impressive shrine, the remaining people of Kyoto intended to boost Kyoto's image and reinvigorate the life of the city.

The Heian Shrine project was a success, and today both its architecture and grounds are so grand and inspiring that is a suitable symbol of Kyoto.