Although this shrine is not one of Kyoto's more famous shrines, it is very old and interesting. It existed before Kyoto was built in 794, and Yoshitsune prayed to an Ebisu statue here for the restoration of the House of Genji. The Kyoto end of the Tokaido road began near here, and during the Edo period the god of Awata Shrine was considered the protector of the Eastern side of Kyoto. All that, and it looks stunning in the autumn sunshine.
- 1 min read
Awata Shrine in Autumn
Beautiful autumn colors in Higashiyama
![Cathy Cawood Cathy Cawood](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/1713/240x240!/61d020bdef751f611f5e3c02.jpg)
By Cathy Cawood
Community writer
![The main hall of the shrine is very pretty](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93195/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93195.jpg)
The main hall of the shrine is very pretty
![Guarding the entrance to the shrine](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93189/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93189.jpg)
Guarding the entrance to the shrine
![Steps lead up the slope](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93190/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93190.jpg)
Steps lead up the slope
![There are many stone lanterns](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93191/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93191.jpg)
There are many stone lanterns
![Dark wood contrasts with the glowing colors of maple leaves](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93197/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93197.jpg)
Dark wood contrasts with the glowing colors of maple leaves
![Beautiful horse statue](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93192/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93192.jpg)
Beautiful horse statue
![Looking down on rooftops](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93193/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93193.jpg)
Looking down on rooftops
![You can see the big red torii of Heian Jingu Shrine from here](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93194/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93194.jpg)
You can see the big red torii of Heian Jingu Shrine from here
![Large rounded water basin](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93199/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93199.jpg)
Large rounded water basin
![Glorious colors!](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93200/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93200.jpg)
Glorious colors!
![I like this rough style of stone lantern](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93196/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93196.jpg)
I like this rough style of stone lantern
![A glimpse of steps through a small torii](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93198/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93198.jpg)
A glimpse of steps through a small torii
![From this angle, the horse seems to be about to leap forward](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93204/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93204.jpg)
From this angle, the horse seems to be about to leap forward
![Looking along the path down to the entrance](https://a0.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/15614-93203/1000/kyoto-awata-shrine-in-autumn-93203.jpg)
Looking along the path down to the entrance
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