Along with Kamomioya-jinja Shrine (Shimogamo-jinja Shrine, or 'Lower Kamo Shrine') it enshrines ancient ujigami of the Kamo clan, and the pair generally being referred to as Kamo-jinja Shrine (Kamo-sha) and treated as paired shrines.
賀茂御祖神社（下鴨神社）とともに古代の賀茂氏の氏神を祀る神社であり、賀茂神社（賀茂社）と総称される。