Kamigamo Jinja

Even though it’s a trek to reach from the city centre, this World Heritage site is worth the effort for its English-language tours each morning. These offer an insight into the Shinto religion and its oldest Kyoto shrine. Kamigamo was constructed by Emperor Tenmu to the north of the city in an attempt to ward off evil. The brilliant red that dominates the buildings was thought to repel malicious spirits, which were believed to always attack from the north.