Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社) is a Shinto shrine located in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 711 CE, it has over 1300 years of history. The shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, a deity associated with rice, sake brewing, prosperity, and business success. Foxes are believed to be messengers of Inari, which explains the numerous fox statues and decorations throughout the shrine grounds.
The shrine is renowned for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which form a network of trails winding up the wooded slopes of Mount Inari. There are approximately 10,000 torii gates at the shrine. These gates, known as “Senbon Torii” (千本鳥居, literally “thousand torii gates”), are donated by individuals and businesses, with each gate inscribed with the donor’s name and the date of the donation.
The main shrine complex at the base of the mountain comprises several buildings:
- Honden (本殿): The main hall
- Haiden (拝殿): The worship hall
- Okumiya (奥宮): The inner shrine
One of the most notable structures is the Romon Gate (楼門), an Important Cultural Property believed to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Visitors can hike the mountain trails, which offer stunning views of Kyoto. The most famous trail leads from the main shrine to the Okusha Yohaijo (奥社遙拝所), where visitors can find the “Omokaru Stones” (おもかる石). It is said that if you make a wish and lift a stone, your wish will come true if the stone feels lighter than expected.
Fushimi Inari Shrine is the head shrine of approximately 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan. It attracts millions of visitors each year, with New Year’s Day being particularly busy for Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year). The shrine remains open 24 hours a day, allowing visitors to experience its mystical atmosphere at any time, from the bustling daytime crowds to the serene and somewhat eerie nighttime ambiance.
Getting there
From kyoto Station to Fushimi Inari Shrine:
| Train | Kyoto Station ↓ Nara line ↓ 5 minutes (2 stops) Inari Station ↓ Walk about 1 minute ↓ Fushimi Inari Shrine (Cost 150 yen) |
| Walk | About 40 minutes (2.8 km) |
Details
| Hours | Open 24 hours |
| Admission | Free |
| Phone | +81 75-641-7331 |
| Address | 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-0882 |
| Official Website | https://inari.jp/en/ |
