Shimogoryo Shrine in Kyoto

This small Heian Era shrine is a peaceful oasis located on Teramachi Street near Demachianagi in Kyoto. It was founded in 863 to make peace with the angry spirits of the dead (at that time people believed those spirits caused problems like famine and sickness as revenge.) If such angry spirits existed, the quiet beauty of this shrine would probably succeed in calming them down! I visited in autumn, and there were yellow leaves scattered over the grounds, but the maple trees were just starting to turn, and were showing a beautiful pink tinge.