Things to do near Kitano Tenmangu shrine
If you’re going to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and don’t know what else to do in the area, read on! Be warned though, there won’t be much in the way of tourist-oriented sightseeing spots in this post. Think of it more as a list of random shop and cafe recommendations from a local. Also, full disclosure: I run Japanese whisky tastings in this area, so there will be some shameless self-promotion towards the bottom of this post!
Before going any further, I should also just mention that this area is not terribly touristy, so here’s some quick advice:
- You’ll (possibly) need cash – many shops in this area don’t accept credit cards, so you might want to have some cash handy
- Have a translation app handy – you might find some English menus but I wouldn’t expect a high level of spoken English in this area
Kitano Tenmangu
Kitano Tenmangu was originally built in 947, and is a popular shrine for students to pray for success with their exams. There’s a lot more to the shrine and its history than that, but I hardly feel qualified to describe any of it so instead, I’ll just say that it’s a nice place, somewhat less busy than certain other famous shrines and temples in Kyoto, and therefore good for a quiet stroll. There are also various events held there throughout the year worth checking out:
- Monthly flea market – held on the 25th of each month
- Plum blossoms – Kitano Tenmangu is known for its plum blossoms, which bloom sometime around February and March
- Umeshu festival – there’s an annual umeshu (Japanese plum wine) festival, usually held in November
- Autumn leaves – there’s a section of Kitano Tenmangu with an entrance fee, and its a great place for autumn leaves
Sightseeing near Kitano Tenmangu
There’s not a huge number of other sightseeing spots in the immediate vicinity, but Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavillion) is about 25 minutes’ walk from the front gate of Kitano Tenmangu (and more like 15 minutes if exiting Kitano Tenmangu from one of its northern gates). If walking up to Kinkakuji, it might be worth stopping by Hirano Shrine (particularly during sakura season) and Wara Tenjin Shrine on the way. If you’re looking for something a bit closer to Kitano Tenmangu, here are a couple to try:
Kamishichiken
Kamishichiken is the oldest of Kyoto’s five geisha districts, and is located right next to Kitano Tenmangu. The streets are lined with traditional buildings, and while there are restaurants and shops, it’s much, much quieter than Gion.
Yokai Street
I’ll put this one on the list with the caveat that it’s not in any way worth going out of your way for. If you happen to be in the area, sure, go have a look. Otherwise, feel free to skip it. Anyway, for those who haven’t encountered the term before, yokai are the spirits, ghosts and monsters of Japanese folklore. The shops on this street have papier-mâché yokai out the front. Which sounds cool, but the whole street has an empty run-down vibe to it.
Shops and cafes near Kitano Tenmangu
There are a lot of interesting shops and places to eat in the area – too many to list here, to be honest. Here is a small selection:
Nabura (ramen)
A ramen shop that serves mackerel ramen. So if you’re looking for something a bit different from the standard tonkotsu or shoyu ramen, this might be worth trying out. I’ll admit that I’ve never actually been to this shop (I don’t like fish!), but the rest of my family speak extremely highly of it!
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Sibling Coffee (coffee)
Located about 15 minutes’ walk from Kitano Tenmangu, Sibling Coffee is a coffee shop run by a latte art champion and barista trainer. I’m not a particularly discerning coffee drinker, so can’t personally comment on the coffee, but I’m reliably informed that it’s very good!
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Sora wa Kimagure (restaurant)
Small family-run place serving yoshoku (think tonkatsu, chicken katsu, hamburg steak, and the like). Excellent value, but only go here if you’re prepared to eat a lot. Servings are voluminous!
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天御八 (cafe)
A small cafe specializing in dorayaki (kind of but not really a red bean pancake). It’s more a place to have some sweets and a coffee rather than a full-on lunch, although they do have a pretty nice Japanese riff on a Cuban sandwich.
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Toyouke Chaya (tofu shop and restaurant)
A very famous tofu restaurant run by Toyoukeya, a well-known local tofu manufacturer. I’ve never actually been to the restaurant (there’s usually a queue and I’m too lazy for that kind of thing), but I often buy their tofu. I grew up not really eating tofu, and always just thought that all tofu was basically just the same. Eating this company’s tofu showed me otherwise!
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Yamada Croquette (take-away)
I absolutely love this place. When I need a deep-fried food fix, this is where I go. It’s a very small shop selling take-away korokke (potato croquette). What I love about it is the sheer variety of korroke available, and the fact that they fry everything up to order. There’s no seating, so before going in, it’s worth scoping out the area for places to sit and eat. (I usually use one of the benches here).
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Yamaoka Liquor Store (craft beer)
A tiny liquor store that specializes in Japanese craft beer. They have a huge selection, so if you’re looking for some great local beer to take back to your hotel, this is the place to go!
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Yumarrest (gin)
This one is a little far, but if you’re a gin drinker, I highly recommend it. Yumarrest is a craft gin produced at a very small distillery about 15 minutes’ walk south of Kitano Tenmangu. To my knowledge, they don’t offer distillery tours, but they do have a shop with a (paid) tasting counter, so if you want to try (and buy) their wares, it’s worth stopping by. Their branding is pretty cool too – it may be difficult to resist buying a T-shirt there!
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Or how about a Japanese whisky tasting?
As mentioned at the top of this post, I run Japanese whisky tastings nearby (apologies for the shameless self-promotion!)
Kyoto Whisky Tasting
Small-group Japanese whisky tastings run by a Japanese-Aussie guy (me!). Enjoy a curated selection of 5 Japanese single malts, and learn all about what makes Japanese whisky special. See here for more information.