Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

* Timing *
Timing is everything. This shrine is apparently famous for two things:
1) Plum blossoms
2) Academic luck
The shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane: a scholar, poet, and politician from the Heian period. He liked plum blossoms quite a bit — hence the high number of plum trees!
I was just a little bit late for the plum blossoms (missing the peak by about a week or so). There were still a good number around, but clearly timing is everything.
Apparently it WAS good timing to be there for students to come and pray for good grades/​exam performance. I suppose the end of the school year is time for that? So it was perfect timing to have VERY long lines waiting at the haiden.
Timing is everything, eh?
Photos:
and

Last Japanese Temple/​Shrine review… I swear.
This was a temple I knew nothing about and for most tourist they would not know either. It was suggested by a guide I hired to take me around. This temple is especially visited by Students praying for good grades (see kids its just that easy!)
I believe the linkage to student is because of Sugawara Michizane. Sugawara was a scholar and politician who was unfairly kicked out by his rivals… gee this never happens anymore.
It really is a lovely site with much to see, many charms to buy (ahem students!), and all of those lovely bulls statues.
I would probably rank this number 4 place to visit in Kyoto for Temples and Shrines

This Shrine is known for academic divine favor, as this Shrine is dedicated to «Sugawara no Michizane» a historical politician during the 9^th centry, an individual known as «the god of studies». Directly speaking, he was a gineous. (But a bit too gineous that he had been set away from Kyoto before he died. It was said after he died the curse of him had caused many natural disaster. So this shrine was one way to make his spirit to calm down.)
As you go through the gate, you might notice some black cows being placed and some people are touching it. There is a bleif that if you stroke the head of the cow you could gain more knowlege. So students who are going to take an entrance exame usually touch the head of the cow. Also for people who has specific desease somewhere in their body, the touch the same part of the cow to get better.
The center of the temple is quite far from the gate as you will need to walk aroud 5 mins to the temple. The temple itself has many plum trees that during spring it blooms and there are plum festival held there. The plum tree was one of «Sugawara no Michizane’s» favorate trees.
Also every month on 25^th, there is «Ennichi (flea market)» being held from 6:00 — 16:00.
You could find antique tablewares, Kimono, Yukata, food and various things. The market itself is very huge as the shops will be settled around the shrine and from the gate till the entrance of the building. It sometimes fun to negosiate the price with the shop owener and also ask about the product they have. You could get nice things in a quite cheap price.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is called «天神さんTenjin-​san» and is the all-​inclusive head shrine of Japan’s Tenmangu where Sugawara Michizane, who is known as the deity of learning, is enshrined.
Festival
Every month of 25^th, they are holding a festival at the precinct. I has dropped in here with my sis and grandmother, having lived nearby. Whenever I had been in, she purchased a small rounded castella for us.
There is a yummy tiny cute Japanese restaurant. I love かき氷Kakigori (a shaved ice topped with flavored syrup) in here. It’s not like as normal Kakigori. I had peach one, the syrup is really juicy because of pulp! Highly recommend it!
Access: take City Bus to 北野天満宮前 Kitano Tenmangu-​Mae or local train to 北野白梅町 Kitanohakubaijyo
Parking: free

First I came here when I was in the third grade of high school for hoping that my scholarship would be improved and I would make a success in the university entrance examination. Later my dream came true and I entered the university of my first choice.
This shrine is highly famous for being dedicated to a deity of scholarship (Michizane Sugawara). A lot of applicants of the exams or business workers pay visit here all year round praying for their success in tests or brisk businesses. Many temples in Kyoto ask for entrance charges, however in this shrine admission is free.
Also it is must as a plum blossom viewing spot where the plum festival is held on Feb.25 every year. Viewing plum blossoms in full bloom, having an open air tea performed by Geiko or Okami, observing hidden treasures in the main hall… I’m interested in but have yet to participate in it.
A large market makes a long line along the precincts and around the shrine on 25^th day every month. I have peeped in the market once. It was popular and crowded with many visitors. I bought local vegetables or sweets in some stalls.