Shinto shrine
Kyoto Ryōzen Gokoku Jinja
京都霊山護国神社（きょうとりょうぜんごこくじんじゃ）
Higashiyama, Kyoto
A shrine on Ryōzen in Higashiyama. It enshrines the spirits of patriots who fell in the late Edo and Meiji Restoration period, such as Sakamoto Ryōma, Nakaoka Shintarō and Kusaka Genzui, and of people connected with Kyoto Prefecture who died in later wars.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
Prayers associated with this place
Enshrined kami: patriots of the late Edo and Meiji Restoration period, including Sakamoto Ryōma and Nakaoka Shintarō, and the spirits of those who died in later wars
History and things to know
According to the official history, in Meiji 1, at the wish of Emperor Meiji, it was decided to establish a shrine in Higashiyama for the patriots who fell without seeing the Restoration accomplished, and it began when a shrine was built on the top of Ryōzen. This is regarded as the first shōkonsha; after being called the Ryōzen state-funded shōkonsha, it was given its present name in Shōwa 14.
Introduced by this site, based on materials from the shrine or temple and public bodies.
Before you visit
There is a fee to enter the Ryōzen graves, where Sakamoto Ryōma and others are buried, and reception hours are fixed.
Official website of the shrine or temple (may be in Japanese)
Sources (in Japanese)
- 京都霊山護国神社「御祭神・御本尊・由緒の公式案内」（2026-10-22 確認）
This site is independent of the shrines, temples, and other websites mentioned. No partnership or endorsement is implied.