Jonangu Shrine In Kyoto
About the Jonangu Camera
Jonangu stands in Fushimi, in the south of Kyoto, on ground once occupied by the Toba imperial villa. The shrine was positioned to guard the southern approach to the capital, and that role is still reflected in its name and its rituals.
Its season is earlier than most of Kyoto's. The shrine's gardens hold weeping plum trees that bloom from roughly late February into March, long before the cherries, and the sight of pink blossom hanging over moss is one of the first signals of spring in the city.
The gardens are divided into five sections representing different periods of Japanese garden design, which is unusual for a shrine. Jonangu is also widely used for car blessings, so the forecourt often has vehicles drawn up for purification, something the camera catches regularly.
Highlights & Nearby
- •Watch for: weeping plum blossom from late February, the five gardens through the seasons, car blessing ceremonies
- •Nearby: Fushimi, the Toba area, Kyoto Minami interchange, Fushimi Inari
- •Note: the plum season here runs noticeably earlier than Kyoto's cherry blossom
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Jonangu camera live?
Yes. It streams continuously.
When do the plum trees bloom?
Roughly late February into March, weeks ahead of Kyoto's cherry blossom.
What was here before the shrine's present form?
The Toba imperial villa occupied this ground, and the shrine was sited to guard the capital's southern approach.
Why are there cars at the shrine?
Jonangu is widely used for vehicle blessings, so cars are often drawn up in the forecourt for purification.
