Nonomiya Shrine

Nestled at the entrance to Arashiyama's famous bamboo grove, this intimate Shinto shrine has welcomed visitors seeking love and academic success since ancient times. The shrine's black torii gate, a rare style called kuroki no torii made of bark-covered logs, marks where imperial princesses once purified themselves before serving at Ise Grand Shrine. Featured in the Tale of Genji, Japan's first novel, Nonomiya retains an atmosphere of quiet spirituality despite the crowds passing through the bamboo forest beyond.