Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most famous and widely visited Shinto shrines in Kyoto and indeed the whole of Japan. It attracts thousands of visitors every day who come to see its many thousands of closely spaced, bright orange torii gates winding their way along the path and up the mountain towards the inner sanctuary
Over the years, these gates have been donated by businesses from all over the country to pray for success. This is because Inari, the patron deity of the shrine, is a god of business, as well as agriculture and rice.
Inari’s messengers are kitsune, or foxes, and this explains the hundreds of fox statues around the shrine grounds, as well as the famous Fox Fountain. Look closely at what each fox holds in its mouth. Some carry a key, symbolising the granary where rice is stored. Others hold a jewel, a scroll, or a sheaf of rice, each representing a different aspect of Inari’s blessing.
What to expect on the walk
Past the main gate and the shrine’s central hall, the path splits into the Senbon Torii, two parallel tunnels of gates that give the shrine its nickname. Most visitors stop here or continue a little further to the Okusha Inner Shrine, where the gates thin out and views over Kyoto begin to open up. This first stretch takes around 30 to 45 minutes at an easy pace.
For those with more time, the full path continues to the summit of Mount Inari. The round trip takes two to three hours, passes smaller sub-shrines and rest stops along the way, and rewards the climb with far quieter surroundings than the lower gates ever offer.
A few tips
Wear comfortable shoes. The path is stepped in places and the summit route involves a genuine climb. It is also worth pausing at the torii gates to bow before passing through, in keeping with shrine etiquette, and to be mindful of other visitors when stopping for photos in the narrower sections of the Senbon Torii.
Book a trip with Kanazawa Tours
Fushimi Inari rewards a bit of local knowledge. A guide can time your visit around the crowds, point out details in the shrine’s history and symbolism that are easy to miss on a self-guided visit, and take you further up the mountain than most day-trippers manage on their own.
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