Heian Shrine is a Shinto Shrine with one of the largest toori (sacred gate) in Japan. The shrine was built in 1895 to celebrate the 1100th anniversary of the establishment of Heian-kyo (the old name of Kyoto) as the capital city of Japan.

This enormous gate is 24.4 meters high!




The main gate to the Shrine.



These are sake barrels, known as kazaridaru, which means decoration barrels. Japanese believe sake has always been a way of bringing our gods and people together.



Before entering the shrine, ritual purification is completed at the roofed water basin.



From what I learnt, these are the steps of cleansing yourself before entering the shrine, everything is to be done with only one scoop of water:

1. Get a scoop full of water with the bamboo scooper with your right hand.2. Clean your left hand, and then your right hand.
3. Pour some water on your hand and clean your mouth.
4. Clean the handle while holding the scoop backward and let the water flow down to the handle.
5. Place the bamboo scooper back to the original place and you're done!



^^