Kyoto Sights

Fushimi-Inari-Taisha

#1 of 340 things to do in Kyoto

#1 of 478 things to do in Kansai

4 reviews | Write a review

Good for: mystery, shrines, beauty, magic, light hiking

  • Address
    • Fukakusa Yabunouchi-chō 68 Fushimi-ku
  • Transport
    • 1min walk from Inari Station, JR Nara line, or 1min walk from Fushimi-Inari Station, Keihan line
  • Phone
    • 075 641 7331
  • Price
    • admission free
  • Hours
    • dawn-dusk

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Lonely Planet review for Fushimi-Inari-Taisha

With seemingly endless arcades of vermilion torii (shrine gates) spread across a thickly wooded mountain, this vast shrine complex is a world unto its own. It is, quite simply, one of the most impressive and memorable sights in all of Kyoto.

The shrine was dedicated to the gods of rice and sake by the Hata family in the 8th century. As the role of agriculture diminished, deities were enrolled to ensure prosperity in business. Nowadays, the shrine is one of Japan’s most popular, and is the head shrine for some 40,000 Inari shrines scattered the length and breadth of the country.

The entire complex, consisting of five shrines, sprawls across the wooded slopes of Inari-san. A pathway wanders 4km up the mountain and is lined with hundreds of red torii. There are also dozens of stone foxes. The fox is considered the messenger of Inari, the god of cereals, and the stone foxes, too, are often referred to as Inari. The key often seen in the fox’s mouth is for the rice granary. On an incidental note, the Japanese traditionally see the fox as a sacred, somewhat mysterious figure capable of ‘possessing’ humans – the favoured point of entry is under the fingernails.

The walk around the upper precincts of the shrine is a pleasant day hike. It also makes for a very eerie stroll in the late afternoon and early evening, when the various graveyards and miniature shrines along the path take on a mysterious air. It’s best to go with a friend at this time.

On 8 April there’s a Sangyō-sai festival with offerings and dances to ensure prosperity for national industry. During the first few days in January, thousands of believers visit this shrine as their hatsu-mōde (first shrine visit of the new year) to pray for good fortune.

 

Traveller reviews for Fushimi-Inari-Taisha (4)

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    My absolute favourite place in all of Japan.

    nat_twinkle recommends this,

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    Visiting Fushimi Inari is magical.

    Miniskirtninja recommends this,

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    Be sure to go with a couple hours expecting to explore the massive and complex shrine grounds. The shrine is beautiful all times of the year, but especially if you are lucky enough to visit when it's snowing, or in the mid-summer on a late afternoon. Exploring Inari is not really hiking by any means, but be sure the wear shoes you are okay walking on uneven ground and on stairs for a few hours.

    Good for: culture, mystery, shrines, beauty, magic, light hiking, shinto

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    A whole new world within Kyoto

    ranaf recommends this,

    If you can only go to one shrine in Kyoto, make it this one. It's a whole magical world somehow contained on the outskirts of the city. As you wander up the side of the mountain, you discover cemeteries, shrines, and small commercial areas to take an ice cream break. Although popular and crowded, you sometimes feel you have the whole place to yourself. Spend an entire day or afternoon here and wander the place- you'll feel that you've been somewhere else entirely. Words can't describe the experience.

    Good for: hiking, mystery, shrines, magic

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    Bright red gates contrast against the dark green forest

    mizsharp recommends this,

    My memory of my day walking through Fushimi-Inari-Taisha is not linear but jumbled with the smell of stone and earth and the chill of light breezes carrying cool, damp air. I remember walking through the winding bright red torii gates, clambering up and down steep stone steps, my eyes adjusting to the dark green woodland shade as, lost in valleys of ferns and mossy stone, I saw carvings of figures and foxes and aged shrines. I remember putting my hands under a tiny waterfall and wondering whether that was wise. A stranger to this magical place, I did not know the rules.

    Good for: mystery, inari, shrines, torii, beauty, getting the willies

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