Kyoto - Horinji Temple in Arashiyama and Matsuo Taisha to Avoid Crowd 京都－法輪寺と松尾大社が静かです

Japanese follows English.　英語の後に日本語が続きます。

1. Saki offerings to Matsuo Taisha

I went to Matuo Taisha shrine in Arashiyama Kyoto on December 30, 2018. I didn't plan to go there, but happened to know that this famous shrine is near Arashiyama, my destination on that day. Matsuo Taisha is famous for enshrining God of sake (or saki) protecting people who not only produce, but also sell or drink sake. It's understandable for the shrine to receive so many offerings from sake manufacturers across Japan.

2. From top of Horinji temple stairs

3. From Horinji temple viewpoint

As a sake lover, I had wanted to go to Matsuo Taisha shrine for a long time, but thought it was an inconvenient place to go. I was wrong. The shrine is very close to the very famous tourist site Arashiyama, in which Horinji temple is located. The temple enshrines a deity of electricity and radio wave and I happened to go there to avoid crowd in Arashiyama. After enjoying beautiful views from this temple, not only from the top of its stairs (Picture 2), but also its viewpoint (Picture 3), I again happened to find a sign showing Matsuo Taisha shrine being only 2.1 km from the temple.

If you are now in Arashiyma, but disappointed at the crowd and want to go to a quiet place nearby, cross the Katsuragawa River and go to Horinji temple. You can enjoy a serene atmosphere and in 20 minutes walk, pray to the sake deity at Matsuo Taisha. You can go to Matsuo Taisha shrine also by the Hankyu Line, one stop from the Arashiyama station.   

年末年始と京都で過ごしました。12月28日に嵐山に行ったら相変わらずの混雑で大失敗。でも桂川を渡ってふらふらしていたら法輪寺を見つけました。電気と電波の神様を祭っているとのこと。すると何と松尾大社まで2.1キロという標識を発見。歩いて行ってみました。

松尾大社はお酒の神様。お酒大好きな（あまり飲めないけど）私にとっては大事な神様。ちゃんとお礼を言いました。

嵐山であまりの人込みにうんざりしたら、法輪寺、そしてそこから2キロほどの松尾大社はお勧めです。ちなみに嵐山から松尾大社までは阪急電車で一駅。歩き疲れた方は電車でどうぞ！