The Heian shrine was built to revere Emperor Kammu (737 - 806) in 1895 on the 1,100th anniversary of his founding of the Heian capitol of Kyoto. The move from Nara came in part to avoid the influence of the powerful Todaiji temple. From the south, the huge torii announces the entrance to the shrine, although the shrine itself is another block farther north. The shrine itself is largely a bed a of gravel leading the eye to the expansive shrine. A wide angle lens will be helpful here. Although the shrine has little to interest the tourist beyond its fame, the Meiji-era gardens behind the shrine are well worth the price of admission.
