Himuro Shrine

4.0

"A 15-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station and a 60-minute drive from the Kyoto-minami Interchange. This Shinto shrine is also located right next to the ""Himurojinja-Kokuritsuhakubutsukan"" bus stop. The shrine was originally dedicated to venerating Mt. Kasuga. From around 711, the shrine gifted blocks of ice created in a cold room to the imperial capital of Hejio-kyo (now Nara). After the capital was moved to Kyoto, the shrine was abolished and then later moved to its current location and revived. Even today, the shrine is still visited by persons involved in industries concerning ice, such as ice making, refrigeration, and freezing. Each year the shrine holds the Kenpyosai ice festival on May 1st, as well as the Himoruo Shirayuki Shaved Ice Festival in March. Visitors can also view beautiful weeping cherry blossoms on the grounds from late March to early April."

Spot details

Address: Nara Nara-shi Kasuganocho 1-4 Map
Area: Nara Park Area
Phone: 0742237297
Hours: [Apr.- Oct.]6:00-18:00
[Nov.- Mar.]6:30-17:30
Closed: open everyday
Fees: [Admission fee to worship]Free
Parking Lot: Available(40spaces)
※Charge
Credit Card: Not available
Average budget: [Lunch] 1-1,000yen
Estimated stay time: 0-30 minutes

Information Sources: NAVITIME JAPAN

Review

small, beautiful, unique shrine

Reviewed : 2020.03.06

this is definitely a unique temple:the deity it honors is the ice god, which is why you may see little blocks of ice (lanterns) lining the front steps or the other pathways on the shrines grounds...
Shrine with interesting background story

Reviewed : 2019.12.09

Himuro Shrine was just opposite to the Nara National Museum. It has great story behind the scene and connected to the devotion to God of Ice. During our short visit there prior to go to the main...
Interesting Shinto Shrine

Reviewed : 2019.09.20

This Shinto Shrine goes back to the Nara Period and was built in 710. There was an ice house up the river and it was moved to where the shrine new stands and ice was offered to those in power and...