Iwashimizu Hachimangu - Takabo-３０ Yawata

Last Saturday (January 24), it was such a fine day here in Kyoto, that I couldn’t resist biking to the Yawata area of Kyoto and pay a visit to the Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū shrine (石清水八幡宮) on Mt. Otokoyama (男山). Although it was near the end of January many people were still coming to the shrine to celebrate Hatsumōde (初詣). As I entered the shrine grounds, sacred kagura music was being played, while a shrine maiden or Miko performed a purification ceremony. She was purifying Hamaya arrows. They are “demon-breaking arrows” and many people bought them to ward off misfortune and attract good luck. In the other hand she was holding a Kagura suzu or “divine entertainment bells”, while the flute and drum accompanied her. Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū is like a fortress on a hill with a scenic view of the Yawata area. The shrine was founded in 859 by the monk Gyōkyō (行教) and is dedicated to “Hachiman” the god of war. The present Honden (本殿) was built by the third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, in 1634. Many Emperors and Shogun’s visited here to pray for success in the many battles they fought. Until this day the Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū is one of the three most important Hachiman shrines in Japan. It was also the head shrine of the Minamoto clan. Minamoto no Yorinobu, in 1046 as governor of Kawachi, began worship at the Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū Shrine. Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū has an interesting connection to the life and work of Thomas Edison, who used bamboo collected from the groves at the shrine by his assistant William H. Moore to make filaments for his first electric light bulb in 1880. After visiting the shrine don’t forget to visit the observatory to get a splendid view of the Yawata area.

tranquil! beautiful shrine. there’s a bamboo forest too. went there 2 april 2019 not fully (cherry) blossomed yet.

Iwashimizu hachimangu was established in 859 in Yawata City in the south part of Kyoto Prefecture in a sacred ground where three large river of Kizu, Uji, Yodo meets. Resting on the top of Mt. Otokoyama known as a battle field of ancient times, the shrine serves itself as a guardian to protect the area. Original purpose of its establishment was to offer protection to the Emperor of Japan and late it turned into a grand shrine. The current form of the shrine was constructed in the time of Tokugawa Shogunate in 17th century. Its sophisticated decoration maked spectacular appearance built in a style of Hachiman zukuri. The shrine is very active with sacred rituals being held at a constant routine. There is a historical connection with Thomas Edison with this shrine since he collected fiber of bamboo grown in its precincts to make the very first light bulb for the shrine in 1880. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes of small hiking to reach the top of the mountain. There also is an observation point where you can command a panoramic view of the city. You can take a cable car to the top of the mountain from the nearby station. ( Trans-word+ : TGM Kyoto Guide )

Peaceful, spiritual Shinto shrine with lots of historical monuments. Very quiet and calm when I visited, which was a nice contrast to the carnage at Fushimi-Inari down the road. The cable car was still under repair as of May 2019 but the walk is better anyway as you see more on the way up and it's really not far. (Although if you do need assistance to get up to the shrine there's a temporary taxi rank available by the cable car)Turn left when you come out of Yawatashi station, walk straight and then look right when you see a small bridge and you'll see a large torii gate to head through. If you fancy it on the way out of the shrine turn right at the third torii gate and there's a cool path down the mountain past a bamboo forest that'll bring you out about mid-way between Zenporitsu-ji and Shobo-ji.

New year's Eve experience, I came to check out the shrine, they have a special new year's eve blessing, my family and friend really enjoyed it.

The place is beautiful with a nice ambience. The observatory is good, and you can see how much is the city beautiful. I love the bamboo forest, and the lovely roads. I went there during the rain day, but it was so nice. There is a memorial sculpture ​inside and it is said for Edison.

?It's a great place to spend a few hours. take something to eat from the supermarket before getting up to the temple. Make sure to head all the way up to the observatory and see the hand made bamboo craft that are just stunning

A beautiful shrine with lovely ambience and lush bamboo forest. The bamboo from this shrine has been used for electric bulb filament by Edison even a memorial is placed inside in remembrance of him. At the top there is a nice observation deck and cable car running down the mountain. Nice place to spend a day