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All Japan Kyoto Go'o Shrine

Go'o Shrine

Shrine dedicated to boars that is believed to cure foot and leg injuries.

Kyoto, Japan

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Sake kegs outside the Go’o Shrine.  
Year of the boar ema  
Standing in these stone footprints is believed to cure foot and leg injuries.  
A boar guards the purification fountain.  
One of hundreds of boar figures.  
This door shows a chrysanthemum, the symbol of the Imperial Family and of eternal life.  
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Collection of boar-related miscellanea.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
These adorable boars are everywhere around the shrine.   larkinbalm / Atlas Obscura User
  CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
  CoolCrab / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The shrine has been featured on banknotes.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Statue of Wake no Kiyomaro.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Yes, that’s Inosuke’s mask.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
  Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Go'o Shrine, on the western side of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, celebrates Lord Wake no Kiyomaro (733-799) who, in the year 769, blocked a Buddhist priest unwelcome by the populace, from taking the imperial throne. The priest, Yuke no Dokyo, exiled Lord Kiyomaro and wounded his leg while he was in transit. Fleeing to present day Oita Prefecture, Lord Kiyomaro was protected from his pursuers by 300 wild boars and his injuries were miraculously cured.

To this day the Go'o Shrine, dedicated to all things pig, is visited by individuals who suffer from leg and foot injuries similar to that of Lord Kiyomaro. A stone block bearing footprints is said to heal the injuries.

Instead of the usual komainu (mythical lion-like beasts) that stand guard outside of most Japanese shrines, the Go'o is guarded by a pair of wild boar. Established as a symbol of the new state orthodoxy in 1886 after the Meiji Restoration made loyalty to the Emperor a dominant theme of official propaganda, the shrine displays hundreds of boar images.

The shrine is also used as a place for lavish marriage ceremonies. It is situated next to several different hotels that are outfitted to host wedding receptions.

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Architectural Oddities Sacred Spaces Shrines Architecture

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The shrine is located five minutes north of Marutamachi Subway Station on Karasuma Street across from the Imperial Palace visitors' entrance.

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Community Contributors

Edited By

Fred Cherrygarden, CoolCrab, larkinbalm

  • Fred Cherrygarden
  • CoolCrab
  • larkinbalm

Published

September 14, 2010

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Sources
  • Trip Advisor: Kyoto: Goo Shrine: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g298564-d1386090/Kyoto:Japan:Goo.Shrine.html
  • personal visit, 2007
Go'o Shrine
Karasuma Street
Kyoto
Japan
35.024894, 135.759172
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Nearby Places

Ichijo Modoribashi Bridge

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Yakuso-Jinshi - Hippocratic Shrine

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Ichijo Modoribashi Bridge

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Yakuso-Jinshi - Hippocratic Shrine

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Kamo River Turtle Stepping Stones

Kyoto, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kyoto

Kyoto

Japan

Places 46
Stories 5

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