Kyoto Yasaka Shrine in the morning

Yasaka Shrine has been there since before Kyoto became capital of Japan. Its gods have been reverently worshiped for 1300 years and it is still a really popular place -- more than 1,000,000 people visit it on New Year’s Day. But today, when I came here on an early morning late in November, only a few people were to be found. The precincts were clean and fresh, bells under the shrine building were brilliantly shining, and the purity of the morning made me feel still and tranquil. It is quite centrally located, and the nearest bus stop is Gion.