Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine — One of the most famous shrines in Japan

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine (見 稲 荷 大 社 社) is one of the most famous and beautiful shrines in Kyoto and believed to be the head of three Inari shrines in the country of Japan. A special thing in this place is thousand of the doors through a mountain.

This is one of the 40,000 shrines which worship Inari rice god and prosperity, many businesses have come here to pray for getting advantages in business and many visitors are also attracted by the “fanciful” beauty of this place.

The trails leading to the main sanctuary are covered with luxuriant vegetation and thousands of Tori’s gates, the green of the leaves and the red color of the gates make for great beauty that no having in any place.

Every day, Inari welcome thousands of visitors, so if you want to take pictures you should come early in the morning.

The reds of the gates have special significance with Shintoism, which can prevent and expel the devil, sickness from the world, as well as protect people from the unhappiness and get luckier.

According to the saving documents, Fushimi Inari Shrine was built in 711 on the hill which named Inari goddess.

However, due to the demand of the faith of the people is increase, in 965, the shrine was moved to the foot of Inari Shrine and survived in this position until now.

Traditionally during thousands of years ago, before each season, farmers in the capital area of Kyoto came to Fushimi Inari to pray for the lush season. Later, when Japan tries to become an industrial country, in the people line flowing to this legendary shrine, there are also rich businessmen.

And when all sales are favorable, businesses thank for the Inari God by using enough needles to build red-covered tori gate.

Entering the main gate of the shrine, we can see a statue of a fox holding a key in the mouth. The fox is considered the symbol of Inari (荷 荷), the god of rice and crops, giving the farmer good harvests. Some people say that Inari is so sacred that if you come here to pray for something without realizing that promise, you will be punished.

Visiting the shrine in Japan, you will see a sign called Ema and then write on the prayer card and hang it up. At Fushimi Inari, you can buy prayer cards that look like a fox, write on them sincere requests and the gods will help you fulfill your wish.

Further information

Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 612-0882, Japan
Opening hours: 7:00-18:30 / 8:30-16:30 (Prayer)
Telephone: (+81) 75-641-7331
Admission fee: Free
How to get there: 3 minutes for walking from JR Inari Station on the JR Nara Line and
5 minutes from Keihan Railway Fushimiinari Station
How to walk: The main path to explore Fushimi Inari Taisha and climb the mountain is about 3 hours for walking. You can start at the bottom and at the main entrance.
Best time to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine: The best times to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine is in the morning or in the evening lately. This place is really crowded from 10 am, so you should get to the bottom of the mountain by 7 – 8 am.

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