伏見稲荷大社
Fushimi Inari Shrine
One of the two oldest shrines devoted to Inari god.
Fushimi Inari-jinja Shrine, along with Origami Inari-jinja Shrine, is considered one of the two oldest shrines dedicated to the deity Inari. The Inari Festival is held in June with outdoor stalls and entertainment activities, along with a portable shrine being paraded throughout the surrounding area.
Access from lodge
2 hours 40 mins
Access by public transportation
Inari Station on the JR Nara Line, Fushimi-inari Station on the Keihan Main Line, Inari Taisha-mae bus stop
History of Fushimi Inari Temple
Legend has it that the shrine was established in 711 before Kyoto became the capital of Japan. The path leading up to the 233-meter-high Inari Mountain is adorned with numerous stone shrines (otsuka) and distinguished by about 10,000 torii gates. This tunnel-like path with vibrant orange torii gates is an iconic scene in Kyoto.
Explore The Trail and Tori Gate
Behind the main precinct of Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is the entrance to a walking trail with Torii gates, and on both sides, there are two densely packed rows of gates called Senbon Torii (thousands of Torii gates). The Torii gates along this trail are the result of contributions from many individuals and construction companies, and you can see the names of the contributors and the dates of their contributions on the back of the Torii gates.
Original Flavored Lucky Cookies
Along the path leading to the shrine, there are restaurants and souvenir shops in Japan. You can find shops selling tsujiura senbei, a type of lucky cookie believed to date back to the 19th century. Some people believe that the lucky cookies of Chinese-Americans have their origins in this type of cookie.
Fox's lunch
Foxes are believed to be the sacred messengers of the Inari deities. You can see fox statues all around the shrine. In Japanese mythology, foxes are said to enjoy aburaage – deep-fried tofu pouches. Therefore, tea houses leading up to the shrine offer inari sushi (rice wrapped in aburaage) and kitsune udon (wheat noodles served in a broth topped with aburaage). Both dishes are ideal for a tasty and light lunch.
To explore the torii gate tunnel, you'll need to walk around the mountain, so plan to spend at least a few hours for the visit. It's advisable to schedule your trip from late morning to mid-afternoon, accompanied by a light lunch along the long walking path.
You can easily combine a visit to Fushimi Inari Taisha with exploration of many other locations in Kyoto, such as a morning visit to Nishiki Market, followed by another temple or shrine in the afternoon.
For further information, please access the official website: https://inari.jp/en/