Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is located at the foot of Mount Inari in Sakamoto-chō, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City. Established in the 4th year of the Wado era (711), it is the head shrine of approximately 40,000 Inari shrines spread across Japan. The Inari deity refers collectively to the gods of grains and food in Japanese mythology. Since the medieval period, as commerce and industry flourished, the Inari god, who presided over bountiful harvests, also came to symbolize wealth and was revered by business communities. The Inari shrine is now the most numerous type of shrine in Japan.

Fushimi Inari Taisha primarily enshrines the deities led by Ukanomitama-no-Kami, who have since ancient times been regarded as guardians of agriculture and commerce. With a large number of worshippers visiting the shrine every year to pray for favorable weather, business prosperity, and traffic safety, it has become one of the most popular shrines in the Kyoto area. Additionally, originating from a custom in the Edo period, people who come to make wishes often donate money to erect a torii gate within the shrine grounds as an expression of reverence for the deities. This has resulted in an astonishing number of large and small torii gates throughout the Fushimi Inari Taisha complex, earning it nationwide and even global fame as the "Senbon Torii" or “Thousand Torii Gates.”

The shrine was dedicated in the 8th century to the gods of rice and sake by the Hata clan. As the role of agriculture diminished, people began to invoke the deities to ensure the prosperity of commercial enterprises.

This magical and seemingly endless pathway winds through 5,000 vibrant orange torii gates, snaking up the hills behind Fushimi Inari Taisha, making it one of Japan’s most popular shrines. Walking along the trail is a delightful day hike. In the afternoon and evening, as various gravesites and miniature shrines along the path emit a mysterious atmosphere, it also becomes a uniquely eerie yet pleasant experience.

The shrine, dedicated in the 8th century to the gods of rice and sake, also features dozens of fox statues. Foxes are regarded as messengers of Inari, the god of grain and food, and stone foxes are commonly known by the same name. The keys often depicted in the foxes' mouths are keys to granaries. This shrine serves as the central location for approximately 40,000 Inari shrines across Japan.

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Must-visit reason: One of the most popular shrines in the Kyoto area

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Kyoto Prefecture [Kyoto Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Kyoto City [Kyoto]