If you’re looking for a unique spiritual experience in Kyoto, visiting temples and shrines with sacred spring water is a wonderful choice. For centuries, people have believed that the natural spring water flowing from these sacred sites brings blessings of good health, good fortune, purification, and longevity.
Unlike the water found at purification fountains, the sacred spring water introduced in this guide is safe to drink. At some locations, you can even fill your own bottle and take the blessed water home.
Each site has its own history, traditions, and spiritual significance, making every visit a memorable part of your journey.
In this guide, we’ll introduce Kyoto temples and shrines where you can drink sacred spring water, along with the unique blessings associated with each site and helpful tips to make the most of your visit.
Kyoto Temples & Shrines Where You Can Drink Sacred Spring Water
Ichihime shrine
Ichihime Shrine is located about a 20-minute walk from Kyoto Station. This shrine is believed to be the guardian deity of women, and many people come to pray there.
Within the shrine precincts, there gushes forth a sacred spring said to grant a single wish. This water was also used for the birth baths of many emperors.
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Ichihime shrine (Kyoto) : Guardian of Women
Ichihime-Jinjya Shrine was founded in 795. This shrine is believed to be the guardian deity of women, and many people come to pray there. There were some charms that seemed to be inspired by princesses from the past. This one had a fortune slip inside. After reading it, I wrote down my wish and offered it to the shrine.
Fujinomori shrine
Fujinomori Shrine is located near JR Fujinomori Station, which is about an eight-minute train ride from Kyoto Station.
A spring flows within the shrine grounds, renowned since ancient times for water of unparalleled deliciousness. It is said that drinking it will grant you good luck in winning.
Local people came to collect water.
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Fujinomori shrine (Kyoto) : Horse racing fans gather
Fujinomori-jinja Shrine was founded about 1,800 years ago. The ritual of running horses has been handed down since ancient times. As a horse shrine, it is visited by many people involved in horse racing, jockeys, and fans. There were a lot of things related to horses in the shrine grounds.
Gokonomiya shrine
Gokonomiya Shrine is located near Momoyama Station, which is about a 10-minute train ride from Kyoto Station. The exact date of its founding is unknown, but it is a historically significant shrine with records indicating that fragrant water gushed forth within its grounds in 862.
Legend says that the water that springs from the shrine grounds instantly cures illnesses when drunk. Even today, the water is drawn from 150 meters underground and is known as one of Kyoto’s famous springs.
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Gokonomiya shrine (Kyoto) : Healing spring water
The exact date of its founding is unknown, but it is a historically significant shrine with records indicating that fragrant water gushed forth within its grounds in 862. Gokonomiya means “fragrant shrine” in Japanese. Legend says that the water that springs from the shrine grounds instantly cures illnesses when drunk.
Nishiki-tenmangu shrine
Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is located in the shopping district. It is just a short walk from the famous Nishiki Market.
The spring water welled up from a depth of about 30 meters (100 ft), and I was able to fill a bottle with it. I was told to boil the water before drinking it, just to be safe.
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Nishiki-tenmangu shrine (Kyoto) : Near Nishiki Market
Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine is located in the shopping district. This shrine is known for its benefits in granting success in exams, and visitors pray while stroking the cattle. Within the temple grounds, Nishiki no Mizu, known as Kyoto’s finest spring water, springs forth.
Nashinoki shrine
Nashinoki shrine is located on the east side of the Kyoto Imperial Palace. This shrine is built on the site where the residence of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, a powerful nobleman, is said to have stood around the 9th century.
The well water that still exists in the purification fountain is said to have been used in the imperial court. It is counted among Kyoto’s three most famous springs and is still drinkable today.
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Nashinoki shrine (Kyoto) : The water tastes good
This shrine is built on the site where the residence of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, a powerful nobleman, is said to have stood around the 9th century. The well water that still exists in the purification fountain is said to have been used in the imperial court.
Kamigamo shrine
Kamigamo Shrine is located in the northern part of Kyoto. It takes about an hour to get there by bus from Kyoto Station. It is a shrine boasting a history said to be the oldest in Kyoto.
Behind the main hall of Kamigamo Shrine lies Mount Koyama, where a pure spring has been preserved since ancient times. You are free to draw this water from the purification fountain and drink it.
Coffee made with that water is sold. It has a smooth texture and a gentle aroma of coffee beans.
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Kamigamo shrine (Kyoto) : History , Highlights , Access
Kamigamo-jinja Shrine is a shrine that boasts a history said to be the oldest in Kyoto. Special prayers and viewings are accepted here at any time. After receiving prayers from the Shinto priest, you can view gardens and treasures that are normally off-limits to the public.
Kifune Shrine
Kifune Shrine is located in the mountains north of Kyoto. The journey from Kyoto Station takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The exact date of its founding is unknown, but it is said to have originated from a shrine built around 1600 years ago on a site where clear spring water gushed forth.
Water still springs forth within the shrine grounds. You can fill your water bottle or plastic bottle with this water for free. Bottles for collecting spring water are also sold there.
The shrine maiden was also drawing water.
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Kifune shrine (Kyoto) : Access , entrance fee , highlights
Kifune Shrine is dedicated to the deity of water. The exact date of its founding is unknown, but it is said to have originated from a shrine built around 1600 years ago on a site where clear spring water gushed forth. Water still springs from the grounds of the shrine, and you can drink it for free.
