Shinsenen
Kyoto Prefecture · Japan
Depending on your private host and their chosen route for the tour, this stop might also be included in your route. If you prefer to see it on your way in between food tastings, please communicate it to your host at the meeting point.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Shinsenen, a site of profound historical and spiritual weight, located just south of Nijo Castle. To step into Shinsenen is to enter the very origins of Kyoto as the imperial capital, Heian-kyo. …
Listen in the app2The Hojo-bashi Bridge and the Path of Prayers
The most iconic image of Shinsenen is the Hojo-bashi, a striking vermilion arched bridge that spans the central pond. In Shinto and Buddhist architecture, such bridges are more than just functional crossings; they represent the…
Listen in the app3Hosei-ike Pond and the Dragon Goddess Zennyo
The large pond you see before you, known as Hosei-ike, is the center of the garden’s many legends. In the Heian period, it was much larger, accommodating imperial boating parties where nobles would compose poetry and play the…
Listen in the app4The Origins of Gion Matsuri
Few visitors realize that the world-renowned Gion Matsuri, Kyoto’s most famous festival, actually had its humble beginnings right here at Shinsenen. In the year 869, Kyoto was ravaged by a devastating plague. …
Listen in the app5Ehou-maki and the Lucky Direction Shrine
Near the entrance of the garden sits a unique and somewhat enigmatic small shrine known as the 'Ehou-sha'. This is the only shrine in Japan that is rotated every year on New Year's Eve to face the 'Ehou', or the lucky direction…
Listen in the app6The Goshuin and the Temple Shop
As we move toward the administrative buildings of the temple, we encounter the area where 'Goshuin' (sacred temple seals) are issued. For many travelers, collecting these hand-calligraphed stamps is a form of spiritual pilgrimage. …
Listen in the app7The Spirit of Heian: Nature and Poetry
Finally, let us reflect on the sensory and aesthetic legacy of Shinsenen. In the Heian period, the concept of 'Miyabi' (courtly elegance) was the highest ideal. …
Listen in the app8Closing
Our exploration of Shinsenen concludes here, where the waters of the divine spring continue to flow as they have for over twelve centuries. From its birth as an imperial playground to its role as a spiritual shield against plague…
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What is Shinsenen?
Shinsenen is a place in Kyoto Prefecture · Japan with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Kyoto Prefecture · Japan |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 35.0112, 135.7480 |
| Last updated |
