Aioi-no-yashiro, a small shrine on the grounds of Shimogamo Jinja Shrine in Kyoto, is known to have a “god of matchmaking” as its guardian deity. When I visited the place, numerous “ema ...

The Imperial Messenger (Chokushi) views the Kurabe Uma Shinji (horse-racing) from this building. KAMIGAMO SHRINE: The Kamo Shrines (Kamigamo and Shimogamo) are among the most important in Kyoto.

Though a rare sight these days, it is played at the start of each year at the Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto. Eight people attempt to keep the deerskin ball in the air using only the instep of their ...