[1] It is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is one of the seventeen Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The name also refers to the ambit of shrine's nearby woods, which are vestiges of the primeval forest of Tadasu no Mori.

[8] In 965, Emperor Murakami ordered that Imperial messengers were sent to report important events to Japan's guardian kami, including Kamo-Tamayori-hime and Kamo-Taketsune.

[10] From 1871 through 1946, Shimogamo was officially designated one of the Kanpei-taisha (官幣大社), meaning that it stood in the first rank of government supported shrines.

[11] Today, it is one of the most visited sites during the new year, and the popular national pastime game of kemari is often played by Shinto priests.