Hirano Shrine

The Hirano Shrine (Japanese平野 神社, Hirano -jinja ) is a Shinto shrine in the district of Kita- ku the city of Kyoto. In the Heian period, he belonged to the system of 22 shrines.

He was (present-day Kyoto ) brought in the year 794 with the move of the capital to Heian - kyō at the behest of Kammu - tennō, where he was often visited by members of the imperial family. Later, he enjoyed great support from the Genji and Heike.

The present buildings of the shrine dates from the 17th century. Unusually, the four Honden, one for each Kami. These are:

The shrine is directed every year on April 10 from a Cherry Blossom Festival ( sakura matsuri ). It was first celebrated in the year 985 during the reign of Kazan tennō and is the oldest still regularly celebrated festival in Kyoto. The festival begins in the morning with a ceremony at the mausoleum of the Kazan tennō, in the afternoon followed by processions with traditional paneling and floats above the ground and cry through the adjacent neighborhood.

The Hirano Shrine is particularly well-known and popular for its flora. This includes 1,500 Beautiful Fruit trees that were planted in 1994 to 1,200 - year anniversary of the arrival of the deities in the shrine. Also for Hanami, the shrine is a popular place.