Iconic Japanese shrine : Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, known as “Inari-san”, is the main shrine of about 30,000 Inari Shrines nationwide. Its history is said that it was founded in 711, older than the transition to Heian-kyo(794). It is said that there is a profit of business prosperity and home safety, and it is crowded with many tourists and worshipers throughout the year. This shrine was announced that ranked first 5th consecutive year of Tripadvisor's “Japanese tourist spots popular with foreigners”! About 2.7 million people come to visit the main hall for Hatsumode (First visit to shrine of new year), and it is the second most popular shrine in Japan after Meiji Jingu. Before passing through the Senbon Torii, there is a cocoon ring in front of the entrance. If you can throw money into a circle made by two foxes, it is said that your wish will come true.

The biggest attraction of Fushimi Inari Taisha is “Senbon Torii(a thousand torii)”. The sight of the vermilion-colored torii gates is just outstanding! This is due to the spread of the custom of dedicating the torii since the Edo period, (thanks to the wishes being “passed”). If you think about the history of 1300 years, it still feels uncharted! The torii gates along the entire trail are donations by individuals and companies, and you will find the name of donater and the date of the donation inscribed on the back of each torii gate. The cost starts around 400,000 yen for a small sized gate and increases to over one million yen for a large gate.

As you walk through the precincts, you will encounter “fox”, the angel of Inari. In front of the tower, a “fox” stands, with a “ball” on the right and a “key” on the left. There are also other items such as “Scrolls” and “Inaho(Ear of rice)”.

At the ”Okusha” worship place just past the first torii tunnel, be sure to take on the challenge of “Omokaru Stone”. While thinking about the wish, lift the gemstone on the stone lantern, and if it weighs lighter than you expected, the wish will come true. In addition, the familiar “ema(votive picture)” at the shrine becomes a cute fox. “Suppin” is a fox-like face, but you can freely draw facial expressions according to your wishes.

By Train: 
･Right next to Inari Station on the JR Nara Line(5 minutes from Kyoto Station)
･5 minutes’ walk to the east of Fushimi-inari Station on the Keihan Main Line

By City Bus
･7 minutes’ walk to the east of the Inari Taisha-mae bus stop on the Minami 5 line

■Opening hour

Always open


Click here to discover our accompanied tours from Kyoto!

Click here to discover our self-guided tours!

Click here to discover our accompanied tours!

 We are Japan-based travel agency, click here to contact our experts for more information about your next stay.