Meisui

Kyoto's Legendary Wells

Published May 2025

Kyoto, surrounded in steep mountain slopes on three sides, has long been famed for its excellent well water (meisui).  And in a culture where taste is everything, good water means a lot.  Used in cooking, for making the finest tofu and sake, Kyoto meisui water continues to be drawn throughout the city.  Here are a few places to find good water.   

l  The water at Gokonomiya Shrine ranked as one of the best 100 wells in Japan, is said to cure sickness, and make your dreams comes true.  It was used for bathing Tokugawa family babies in the Edo period (1603-1868); 7:00-19:00; Near Momoyama Goryomae Sta. on Kintetsu railway; gokounomiya.kyoto.jp

l  Yasaka Shrine is said to be built on a well of pure water, believed to be the home of the blue dragon deity that protects Kyoto.  The water from this well (southeast of the main hall) is called the Power Water; www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp

l  The old well at Shimogoryo Shrine just reopened several years ago, after being closed and forgotten for nearly half a century.  Cold and sweet, the water here is checked monthly; shimogoryo.main.jp

l  The Some-i Well at Nashinoki Shrine has long been popular with Kyoto citizens.  The six wells at this ancient location next to the Imperial Palace compound were used by the empress in the early 10th century to dye her husband’s garments, one well for each color; www.nashinoki.jp

Note: Water at shrines is sacred. Please remember good manners when going to receive water.