Nonomiya Shrine

Nonomiya Shrine, set within the beautiful bamboo grove of Arashiyama in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, is a venerable ancient shrine where the Saigu priestesses serving Ise Jingu once secluded themselves to purify their bodies before heading to Ise. Known also as a setting of the "Sakaki" chapter of the Tale of Genji, it is one of Arashiyama's foremost power spots, drawing many worshippers for blessings of matchmaking, fertility, and success in learning. Its principal enshrined deity is Nonomiya-no-Okami (Amaterasu Omikami).

Highlights

• Black-Wood Torii: A torii said to be of Japan's oldest style, made of sawtooth oak with the bark still attached. Its simple, mystical form against the bamboo grove is striking.
• Okame Stone (Sacred Stone): A sacred stone said to grant your wish if you stroke it while making the wish. It is popular among those wishing for a good match or fertility.
• Moss Garden: The beautiful moss garden in the grounds evokes the moist, distinctly Kyoto-like atmosphere.

Enjoying the Seasons

Along with the bamboo grove of Arashiyama, you can enjoy the changing faces of the four seasons. Fresh greenery in spring, lush green bamboo in summer, colorful foliage in autumn, and snowy scenery in winter, beautiful views spread out whenever you visit. As the bamboo path gets very crowded during the day, early morning is recommended for those who wish to worship quietly. In October the Saigu Procession, recreating the priestess's procession to Ise, is held.

Access and Basic Information

• Location: 1 Saga-Nonomiya-cho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
• Access: About a 10-minute walk from Saga-Arashiyama Station on the JR Sagano Line, or about a 10-minute walk from Arashiyama Station on the Randen (Keifuku) tram
• Hours: Daytime (shrine office staffed during the day)
• Admission: Free
• Parking: No dedicated parking (parking around Arashiyama or public transport is convenient)

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: The grounds are compact, taking about 15 to 20 minutes to worship and see the Okame Stone and moss garden. Enjoying it along with a stroll on the bamboo path is standard.
• Bamboo Path: Nonomiya Shrine sits near the entrance to the "Bamboo Path," a highlight of Arashiyama sightseeing. It is very crowded during the day with visitors from home and abroad, so an early-morning visit is comfortable.
• Nearby spots: Within walking distance are Tenryuji (World Heritage), the Okochi Sanso Garden, and Torokko Arashiyama Station, making it easy to combine with a stroll around the Saga and Arashiyama area.
• Access tip: As Arashiyama gets very crowded, especially on weekends in the sightseeing seasons, using public transport is recommended.

A Quick Tip

If you wish for a good match, pray while gently stroking the Okame Stone. As it sits along the "Bamboo Path," a highlight of Arashiyama sightseeing, dropping by along with a stroll is the standard plan. As it is very crowded during the day, an early-morning visit is highly recommended to avoid crowds. Combining it with Tenryuji and Okochi Sanso to enjoy a tour of the famous sights of Saga and Arashiyama is also a good idea.

📚 Sources

This article is based on publicly available sources such as the official website of Nonomiya Shrine, tourism information published by the Kyoto City Tourism Association, and on-site history boards and signage. Its history connected with the Saigu priestesses, its link to The Tale of Genji, and the descriptions of the Kuroki Torii, the Okame stone, and the moss garden are based on such public information. The shrine office reception hours and the crowd and traffic conditions around Arashiyama may change, so please confirm with the official information from Nonomiya Shrine before you set out.

Visitor Checklist

• Estimated time: The grounds are compact, and about 15 to 20 minutes is enough to worship and see the Okame stone and the moss garden. Enjoying it together with a stroll along the bamboo grove path is the usual approach.
• What to bring: By day the area is very crowded with visitors from Japan and abroad, so an early morning visit is more comfortable if you want to worship quietly. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• If you wish for a good match: The custom is to make your wish while gently stroking the Okame stone.
• Suggested route: Worship from the Kuroki Torii to the main hall, make a wish at the Okame stone, view the moss garden, and then pass out onto the bamboo grove path.
• Nearby: Within walking distance are Tenryuji, a World Heritage temple, the Okochi Sanso garden, and the Torokko Arashiyama station, making it easy to combine with a stroll around the Sagano and Arashiyama area.