Heian Shrine

Heian Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of Kyoto becoming Japan's capital, dedicated to Emperor Kammu, who established the capital in 794, and Emperor Komei, the last sovereign to reign from Kyoto. The shrine buildings are a partial replica of the original Imperial Palace, constructed at roughly two-thirds scale. The approach is dominated by one of Japan's largest torii gates, a 24-meter vermilion structure that has become a landmark of the Okazaki district. But the shrine's greatest treasure lies behind the main hall: the Shin-en garden, a 33,000-square-meter masterwork created by the renowned landscape architect Ogawa Jihei VII. The garden unfolds across four sections, each designed for a different season: weeping cherry trees in spring, irises in early summer, water lilies through the warmer months, and maples in autumn. A covered bridge crosses the central pond, offering views that have drawn visitors for over a century.