Seimei Shrine Kyoto Day Trip: 3 Perfect Itineraries for One-Day Visitors

Planning a day trip to Kyoto and want to include the mystical Seimei Shrine? This guide offers three complete itineraries designed for visitors with limited time, each featuring Seimei Shrine combined with nearby attractions for an unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re a temple enthusiast, history buff, or culture seeker, one of these carefully crafted routes will help you make the most of your precious day in Kyoto’s northern districts.

Quick Overview

| Trip Style | Best For | Duration | Budget |
|————|———-|———-|——–|
| [Northern Kyoto Golden Route](#course-1-northern-kyoto-golden-route) | Temple lovers, first-timers | 8 hours | ~¥2,500 |
| [Imperial Palace & Shrine Heritage](#course-2-imperial-palace–shrine-heritage) | History buffs, Heian era fans | 6 hours | ~¥1,500 |
| [Nishijin Neighborhood Immersion](#course-3-nishijin-neighborhood-immersion) | Culture seekers, foodies | 5 hours | ~¥2,000 |

Seimei Shrine Visit Time: 30-45 minutes
Best Days: Tuesday or Wednesday (fewer crowds)

Before You Start: Transportation Essentials

Kyoto City Bus One-Day Pass

Price: ¥700 (adult) / ¥350 (child)

Where to buy:

• Kyoto Station Bus Terminal (vending machines and ticket counter)

• Subway station ticket machines

• Major hotels and 7-Eleven stores

Is it worth it? Absolutely, if you take 4+ bus rides. Individual fares are ¥230 each.

How to use:
1. Insert the pass into the card reader when exiting (first use only)
2. The date is printed on the back
3. Show the date to the driver when exiting on subsequent rides

Coverage: Most city buses (green buses). Does not cover Kyoto Bus (tan/cream colored) to Ohara or Kurama.

Getting to Seimei Shrine

| From | Method | Time | Cost |
|——|——–|——|——|
| Kyoto Station | Bus #9 to Ichijo Modoribashi | 20 min | ¥230 |
| Shijo-Karasuma | Bus #12 to Ichijo Modoribashi | 15 min | ¥230 |
| Imadegawa Station (Subway) | Walk north | 12 min | Free |
| Kinkaku-ji | Bus #59 to Horikawa Imadegawa, walk 5 min | 20 min | ¥230 |

Bus Stop Name: “Ichijo Modoribashi, Seimei Jinja-mae” (一条戻橋・晴明神社前)

Course 1: Northern Kyoto Golden Route

Theme: Classic Kyoto temples + mystical Seimei Shrine
Best For: First-time visitors who want famous landmarks
Total Duration: 8 hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Total Walking: Approximately 4 km
Budget: ~¥2,500 (transport + admission)

Detailed Itinerary

9:00 AM – Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Admission: ¥500

• Highlights: Gold-leaf covered pavilion, mirror pond reflection

• Photo tip: Arrive early for calm water reflections

10:15 AM – Bus to Kitano Tenmangu

• Take Bus #59 from Kinkaku-ji-michi to Kitano Tenmangu-mae

• Duration: 10 minutes, ¥230

10:30 AM – Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

• Duration: 45 minutes

• Admission: Free (treasure house ¥500)

• Highlights: God of learning, 2,000 plum trees, monthly flea market (25th)

• Don’t miss: Rub the bronze ox statue for wisdom

11:30 AM – Walk to Seimei Shrine

• Distance: 1.2 km (15-minute walk)

• Route: Head east along Imadegawa-dori

11:45 AM – Seimei Shrine

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Admission: Free

• Highlights: Seimei Well, yakuyoke peach, shikigami statues

• Must-do: Drink from the well, rub the evil-warding peach

12:30 PM – Lunch at Tori-iwaro

• 10-minute walk south

• Specialty: Oyakodon (¥1,200), Chicken mizutaki

• Historic Nishijin chicken restaurant, reservations recommended

2:00 PM – Walk to Kyoto Imperial Palace

• Distance: 800m (10-minute walk)

2:15 PM – Kyoto Imperial Palace

• Duration: 75 minutes

• Admission: Free

• Highlights: Former emperor’s residence, beautiful gardens

• Note: No reservation needed, grounds open 24 hours

3:45 PM – Walk to Shimogamo Shrine

• Distance: 1.5 km (20-minute walk through Kyoto Gyoen)

4:15 PM – Shimogamo Shrine

• Duration: 45 minutes

• Admission: Free

• Highlights: World Heritage Site, Tadasu-no-Mori forest, beauty shrine

• Don’t miss: Kawai Shrine for beauty prayers

5:00 PM – End at Demachiyanagi Station

• Take Keihan Line back to central Kyoto

• Or Bus #4 to Kyoto Station (30 minutes)

Lunch Alternatives

Demachi Futaba (15-min walk from Seimei Shrine)

• Famous for mamemochi (bean rice cakes, ¥200)

• Long lines expected, worth the wait

• Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM, closed Tuesdays

Sarasa Nishijin (12-min walk)

• Café in a converted bathhouse

• Daily lunch set ¥1,100

• Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM, closed Wednesdays

Course 2: Imperial Palace & Shrine Heritage

Theme: Heian-era history and imperial culture
Best For: History enthusiasts, those interested in Japanese royalty
Total Duration: 6 hours (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Total Walking: Approximately 3 km
Budget: ~¥1,500 (transport + optional admissions)

Detailed Itinerary

10:00 AM – Shimogamo Shrine

• Take Bus #4 from Kyoto Station to Shimogamo Jinja-mae (30 min, ¥230)

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Admission: Free

• Highlights: Ancient forest, beauty shrine, Aoi Festival site

11:15 AM – Walk through Tadasu-no-Mori to Kyoto Gyoen

• Peaceful 20-minute stroll

11:40 AM – Kyoto Imperial Palace

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Admission: Free

• Highlights: Shishinden Hall, imperial gardens, Oikeniwa garden

12:45 PM – Lunch at Toraya Karyo Kyoto Ichijo

• 5-minute walk west from Imperial Palace

• Specialty: Seasonal wagashi set (¥1,400)

• Elegant traditional sweets café

• Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

2:00 PM – Walk to Seimei Shrine

• Distance: 600m (8-minute walk)

2:10 PM – Seimei Shrine

• Duration: 45 minutes

• Key activities: Worship, Seimei Well water, yakuyoke peach

• Get your goshuin (¥500) and mayoke charm (¥1,000)

3:00 PM – Nishijin Textile Center

• 10-minute walk west

• Duration: 45 minutes

• Admission: Free (kimono show ¥500)

• Highlights: Kimono fashion shows daily at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM

4:00 PM – End

• Bus #9 from Horikawa Imadegawa to Kyoto Station (20 min)

• Or walk 5 min to Imadegawa Subway Station

Why This Route Works

This course connects sites from the Heian period (794-1185), when Abe no Seimei lived and served the imperial court. You’ll trace the footsteps of emperors and onmyoji masters through Kyoto’s most historically significant district.

Course 3: Nishijin Neighborhood Immersion

Theme: Local culture, traditional crafts, hidden gems
Best For: Repeat visitors, culture enthusiasts, foodies
Total Duration: 5 hours (10:30 AM – 3:30 PM)
Total Walking: Approximately 2 km
Budget: ~¥2,000 (food-focused)

Detailed Itinerary

10:30 AM – Seimei Shrine

• Bus #9 from Kyoto Station (20 min)

• Duration: 40 minutes

• Start your day with spiritual purification

• Morning is less crowded and more atmospheric

11:15 AM – Ichijo-dori Street Exploration

• Walk east along Ichijo-dori

• See the original Ichijo Modori Bridge location (100m south of shrine)

• Browse local shops selling traditional crafts

11:45 AM – Lunch at Tori-iwaro

• Historic Nishijin restaurant since 1946

• Order: Oyakodon (¥1,200) or Mizutaki course (from ¥4,500)

• Hours: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, closed Wednesdays

1:00 PM – Nishijin Textile Center

• 5-minute walk

• Duration: 60 minutes

• Watch a free kimono fashion show (1:00 PM or 2:00 PM)

• Try the weaving experience (¥2,200, 30 minutes)

• Shop for Nishijin silk accessories

2:15 PM – Senbon Shakado (Daihoon-ji)

• 10-minute walk north

• Duration: 30 minutes

• Admission: Free

• Highlights: Oldest wooden building in Kyoto (1227), national treasure

• Few tourists know this hidden gem

2:50 PM – Coffee Break at Sarasa Nishijin

• Unique café in a converted 1930s public bathhouse

• Original tile work preserved

• Coffee ¥550, homemade cake ¥500

• Perfect Instagram spot

3:30 PM – End

• Bus #206 from Senbon Kitaoji to Kyoto Station (25 min)

• Or continue exploring the quiet Nishijin streets

Local Tips for Nishijin

• Many Nishijin weavers work from home; listen for the rhythmic sound of looms

• The area is residential; keep voices low and respect local life

• Small temples and shrines dot the neighborhood; explore freely

• Traditional machiya townhouses line the narrow streets

Recommended Restaurants Summary

| Restaurant | Specialty | Price Range | Distance from Seimei |
|————|———–|————-|———————-|
| Tori-iwaro | Chicken dishes | ¥1,200-4,500 | 10 min walk |
| Toraya Karyo | Wagashi sweets | ¥1,100-1,600 | 5 min walk |
| Demachi Futaba | Mamemochi | ¥200-400 | 15 min walk |
| Sarasa Nishijin | Café/lunch | ¥550-1,100 | 12 min walk |
| Inoue | Udon noodles | ¥800-1,200 | 8 min walk |

Seasonal Considerations

Spring (March-May)

• Cherry blossoms at Imperial Palace (early April)

• Plum blossoms at Kitano Tenmangu (late February-March)

• Comfortable walking temperatures 15-22°C

Summer (June-August)

• Hot and humid, temperatures exceeding 35°C

• Start early (before 9 AM) to avoid midday heat

• Many spots offer cool temple gardens for rest

Autumn (September-November)

• Peak foliage mid-November at Shimogamo Shrine

• Seimei Festival around autumn equinox (late September)

• Best overall season, book restaurants ahead

Winter (December-February)

• Fewer tourists, peaceful atmosphere

• Risshun ritual at Seimei Shrine (around February 4)

• Cold but clear days, dress warmly

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I do all three courses in one day?
A: No, each course is designed as a full experience. Pick one based on your interests.

Q: What if it rains?
A: Course 2 works best in rain – more indoor time at Imperial Palace and Textile Center.

Q: Are these routes wheelchair accessible?
A: Partially. Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nishijin Textile Center are accessible. Seimei Shrine is mostly flat. Shimogamo Shrine has gravel paths.

Q: Can I modify the routes?
A: Absolutely! These are suggestions. Use the transportation info to create your own combination.

Q: What’s the best time to visit Seimei Shrine?
A: Early morning (9:00-10:00 AM) for fewest crowds and best atmosphere.

Quick Reference Card

Seimei Shrine

• Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (last entry 5:00 PM)

• Admission: Free

• Goshuin: ¥500

• Bus: #9, #12 to Ichijo Modoribashi

• Phone: 075-441-6460

Must-Do at Seimei Shrine
1. Pass through the pentagram torii
2. View shikigami statues
3. Drink from Seimei Well
4. Rub the yakuyoke peach
5. Get a mayoke (evil-warding) charm

Emergency Contacts

• Police: 110

• Ambulance: 119

• Tourist Hotline: 075-752-3010

Summary

Each of these three itineraries offers a unique way to experience Seimei Shrine within the context of Kyoto’s rich cultural landscape:

1. Northern Golden Route: Best for first-timers wanting iconic temples
2. Imperial Heritage: Perfect for history lovers and Heian period fans
3. Nishijin Immersion: Ideal for culture seekers and food enthusiasts

Whichever route you choose, Seimei Shrine’s mystical atmosphere will be a highlight of your Kyoto day trip. The legendary onmyoji’s power continues to attract visitors seeking protection and purification more than a thousand years after his time.

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*Information in this article is accurate as of January 2025. Please verify current details via official websites before your visit.*