![IMG_0748](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0748.jpg)
The past couple of days in Kyoto have seen the city’s heaviest snowfall in over 50 years – which of course makes for a lot of splendid photo opportunities. One of my essential visits each January is to Shimogamo Shrine, a shrine older than the city itself and my personal favorite. I make a point of coming here for hatsumÅde (åˆè©£ – a first shrine visit) every year. Here are some pictures from today’s visit. Covered in its white mantle the north of Kyoto was breathtaking!
![This was the view upon arrival at Demachiyanagi.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0715.jpg)
![We crossed the river and entered the woods of Tadasu no Mori. It is the last remnant of a primeval forest which is said to have never been cut or burned down.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0716-Medium.jpg)
![IMG_0738 (Medium)](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0738-Medium.jpg)
![Near the southern entrance of the forest is a small sub-shrine called Kawai Jinja.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0723-Medium.jpg)
![At Kawai Jinja there is a reconstruction of Kamo no Chomei's hut. Kamo no Chomei was a 12th century poet and hermit and the author of the very wonderful HÅjÅki - “An Account from a Hut Ten-Foot Squareâ€.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0719-Medium.jpg)
![Kamo no Chomei's original hut was up in the mountains. Can you imagine how cold he would have been in winter!](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0720-Medium.jpg)
![IMG_0726 (Medium)](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0726-Medium.jpg)
![IMG_0735 (Medium)](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0735-Medium.jpg)
![The entrance to Shimogamo Shrine proper.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0743-Medium.jpg)
![The shimenawa ropes that decorate this rock siginify that it is venerated as the dwelling place of kami - the Shinto gods.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_7791-Medium.jpg)
![At the entrance a blazing fire warms people up.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_0747-Medium.jpg)
![Shimogamo Jinja is one of the oldest shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_7788.jpg)
![The main altars had long queues so we went to a small side altar to say our New Year's prayers...](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_7783-Medium.jpg)
![IMG_7787](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_7787.jpg)
![To greet the new year, the shrine always displays a wonderful picture of the current year's zodiac animal.](https://www.deepkyoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/IMG_7777.jpg)
Happy New Year to all and best wishes for 2015 – the Year of the Sheep!
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You can find the Shimogamo Shrine complex a hop, skip and a jump over the Kamo river to the west of Demachiyanagi Sation. Here is a map of its location.
Update – January 6th: We actually bumped into John Dougill at the entrance to Shimogamo and his pictures from his visit are now up on Green Shinto.
See also: Kamo no Chomei’s Hojoki – “An Account from a Hut Ten-Foot Squareâ€