Goo Shrine (護王神社)
About this spot
This shrine stands west of Kyoto Gyoen, facing Karasuma-dori Street. At the entrance to the approach you will find a pair of boar statues rather than the usual lion-dogs, and boars large and small also appear around the main hall. It enshrines Wake no Kiyomaro and is known for protecting the legs and lower back, which makes it a fitting place to pray for a family about to spend the day on foot. The grounds are compact and easy to walk around, and children can turn it into a game of seeing how many boars they can find. Kyoto Gyoen is just across Karasuma-dori Street, so you can move straight on to the next stop.
Season & hours
Name: 京都御苑 出水の小川
Date & time: 例年 通年通水・終日開放（2026年の通水期間は未公表）※公式に「夏には水遊びをする子供達の人気スポット」と記載
Venue: 京都市上京区・京都御苑
京都御苑 出水の小川は、地下からくみ上げた井戸水が流れる長さ約100mの人工の小川です。深さは数cmしかなく、水を怖がる小さな子でも足首から少しずつ慣れていける優しい流れになっています。公式にも「夏には水遊びをする子供達の人気スポット」と記されており、夏の御苑を代表する子どもの居場所です。周辺にはトイレと休憩ベンチが備わっているので、保護者が荷物を置いて腰を下ろせるのも助かるところ。例年 通年通水・終日開放で料金は無料、2026年の通水期間は未公表です。
Tips
御苑内は砂利道が多いので、水遊び用サンダルとは別に歩きやすい靴を用意しておくと移動が快適です。日陰は木立の下に限られるため、レジャーシートと帽子で日差し対策をしてください。着替えは近くのトイレを使うか、タオルポンチョがあるとスムーズです。飲み物は御苑内で買える場所が限られるので、多めに持参するのが安心です。
Tips
It is within walking distance of Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line, and the Hamaguri-gomon Gate of the garden is close by. There is nowhere to eat or drink on the grounds, so bring drinks with you beforehand. Agreeing in advance to stay quiet during the visit makes for a calmer walk around. If you would like a goshuin seal stamp, check the shrine office hours to be sure.
Best time to visit
About 45 minutes. The morning, before the sun climbs high, is the most comfortable time of day.
How was this spot?
Access & map
〒602-8011 Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Kamigyo-ku, Karasuma-dori Shimochojamachi-sagaru, Okakuen-cho ３８５
Model course featuring this spot
2026 Kyoto Gyoen Demizu-no-Ogawa (出水の小川) Full-Day Course
Kyoto
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