The Heian Jingū (平安神宮) is a Shinto shrine located in Kyoto, Japan. The torii before the main gate is the largest in Japan, and the main building, or shuden (社殿), is designed to imitate the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
The Heian Jingū was built in 1895 for the 1100th anniversary of the establishment of Heiankyō (the old name of Kyoto). The shrine is dedicated to Emperors Kammu and Kōmei. The former moved the capital to Heian, and the latter was the last before Emperor Meiji, who moved the capital to Tokyo.
The Heian Jingū is the destination of the Jidai Matsuri, one of the three most important festivals of Kyoto. The procession of this festival begins at the old Imperial palace, and includes carrying the mikoshi (portable shrines) of Emperors Kammu and Komei to the Heian Jingū.
See also Heian Period.
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