Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, located in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, is a popular tourist spot known for its “Senbon-torii,” a series of vermilion torii gates.
The vermilion torii gates are a popular photographic attraction, attracting many visitors every year not only from Japan but also from overseas.
Behind the main shrine, past the “Senbon-torii” gate, is “Inari-san” (Mt. Inari). The pilgrimage route often referred to as "oyama-meguri" (lit. mountain pilgrimage) is a popular attraction as well.
The full route is a 4-km long, approximately 2 hour long trip. This would make for a great, spiritual hike.
- How to get to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
- What exactly is Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine?
- How long of a walk is it for the full Fushimi Inari-taisha experience?
- How to get around Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
- First, go to the main gate and the main shrine (designated important cultural asset)
- The vermilion tunnel of Senbon-torii
- Try your luck at the Omokaru-ishi stone
- Shin-ike Pond to Mitsu-tsuji with mysterious atmosphere
- Take a break at Yotsutsuji, a spot with a spectacular view
- Ichinomine, the summit of Mt. Inari
- From Ichinomine, turn left to Yotsuji
- Enjoy your time in Fushimi Inari-taisha!
How to get to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Access to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is as follows.
The Fushimi Inari-taisha is only a 5-minute train ride from JR Kyoto Station, so you can easily get there by JR, Keihan Line, or bus.
・From Kyoto Station
Take the JR Nara Line and get off at Inari Station (approx. 5 min.)
・From Gion Shijo
Get off at Fushimi Inari Station on the Keihan Main Line (about 9 min.), 5 min. walk to the east.
・When using city buses
7 min. walk to the east from Inari-taisha-mae bus stop on the Minami No. 5 line
What exactly is Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine?
Fushimi Inari-taisha is a shrine famous for its “Senbon-torii,” a series of vermilion torii gates.
The history of Fushimi Inari-taisha is said to have begun in the year 711AD.
It is the head shrine of Inari shrines throughout Japan, and is well known as the god of business prosperity and family safety.
The main shrine was rebuilt in 1499, and the Gonden and other auxiliary shrines are designated as important cultural properties by the government of Japan.
The shrine and mounds scattered around Mt. Inari, where the deity Inari no Mikami is said to have alighted, are all part of a pilgrimage route called “Oyama Meguri” (お山めぐり lit. mountain pilgrimage).
The sight of torii gates standing in the mountain, dotted with shrines and mounds, is so mysterious that it seems as if you have been transported to another world.
How long of a walk is it for the full Fushimi Inari-taisha experience?
You can choose the course of your visit to Fushimi Inari-taisha according to your time, stamina, and preference.
＜Approximate time required for each Fushimi Inari-taisha route＞
1. Round-the-clock course / approx. 2 hours
2. Yotsuji round trip / approx. 1 hour
3. Okusha Shrine round trip / approx. 40 min.
*The walking time varies from person to person, so please use the above as a rough estimate.
If you have time and energy to spare, take the Round-the-clock course; if you want to visit the shrine in as short a time as possible, choose the Okusha Shrine round trip which takes you through most of the main attractions; the tower gate, main shrine, and Senbon-torii.
How to get around Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
First, go to the main gate and the main shrine (designated important cultural asset)
First, visit the romon (main gate) and the main shrine, both important cultural properties.
The rōmon was built in 1589 by Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the ruler of Japan around 1590, who donated it in gratitude for his mother's recovery from illness.
It is one of the largest gates in the shrine, and has a glamorous appearance that evokes the Momoyama Period, a time when the culture of opulence and splendor was prevalent.
In front of the gate, there is a statue of a fox, the messenger of the god Inari.
There are many statues of these messenger foxes, so just looking around the various expressions of these foxes can make a great activity.
The main shrine, located beyond the fox statues, is designated as a national important cultural property and has a dynamic and elegant atmosphere.
Please visit the shrine and feel the traditional Japanese culture.
The vermilion tunnel of Senbon-torii
The Senbon-torii near the main shrine is a symbolic spot of Fushimi Inari-taisha.
It is famous for its photogenic appearance and often appears on Instagram and other social media.
Since the Edo period (1603-1868), the faithful have dedicated these "Senbon-torii" gates as an expression of prayer and gratitude, and about 10,000 of these gates have been erected on the grounds of the shrine.
The bright vermilion color of these statues is eye-catching and sacred, so it is a good idea to walk around while thinking of your wishes and dreams that you want to make come true.
Try your luck at the Omokaru-ishi stone
After going through the Senbon-torii, you will find a pair of stone lanterns called the Omokaru-ishi, located in the far right corner of the Okusha shrine (奥社奉拝所 aka Oku-no-in 奥の院).
It is said that if you lift the head of the stone lanterns while praying for your wish and the weight of the lanterns is lighter than you expected, your wish will be granted.
When you visit the temple, please try your luck with the Omokaru-ishi.
Shin-ike Pond to Mitsu-tsuji with mysterious atmosphere
After passing Omokaru-ishi, you will start a full-scale tour of the Oyama-meguri.
*We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes. Bringing a water bottle is a good idea too.
Shin-ike (新池 lit. "new pond") is located behind the Okusha Shrine.
It takes about 20 minutes from the main shrine to Shin-ike. There are slight climbs and stairways on the way here, but it is not that difficult since there are flat paths and a down hill from the Okusha Shrine.
It is a 5-min. walk from Shin-ike to Mitsutsuji. On the way, there is a shrine called Kumatakasha.
It is said to bring good fortune for business and victory. Buy a candle at the teahouse across the street, make an offering, and make a wish.
There is another name for Shin-ike, “Kodama-ga-ike,” which means “the pond of the echoing spirit." Legend says, if you are looking for a missing person, visit the lake and clap your hands. The direction of which the echo is heard, is the direction where this missing person will be.
The atmosphere changes from around this area, to a very spiritual vibe.
Take a break at Yotsutsuji, a spot with a spectacular view
About 15 to 20 minutes after Mitsutsuji, you will arrive at Yotsutsuji. This is a spot with a spectacular view of the city of Kyoto.
There are benches and a teahouse, so take a short rest here.
A light hiking tour will be enough to enjoy the view from this point. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes from Okusha Shrine to Yotsutsuji.
Ichinomine, the summit of Mt. Inari
The summit of Mount Inari is called Ichinomine (一ノ峰 lit. "first peak"). When you reach the summit, pay your respects.
At Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, the object of worship is the entire Mt. Inari (233m above sea level), where the great god Inari descended from, and a steep stairway leads up to the summit.
From Yotsutsuji, it takes about 15 to 20 minutes from the right path. We recommend the right path, as it is a easier route. It takes about one hour to return to Yotsutsuji. If you are physically strong and have time to spare, you should definitely climb to the top.
There are shrines enshrining the deities that descended from the mountain and sacred places scattered around the path, where Ichinomine, Ninomine, and Sanomine are considered the most sacred.
Ninomine (二ノ峰 lit. "second peak) is said to be beneficial for traffic and maritime transport, while the Sannomine (三ノ峰 lit. "third peak") is said to be beneficial for the improvement of one's practice, so it is recommended to pray for traffic safety and improvement of one's artistic skills.
From Ichinomine, turn left to Yotsuji
From Ichinomine to Yotsutsuji, turn left. Various Otsuka are scattered along the way.
Otsuka (お塚 lit. "mounds") are stones carved with names, dedicated to the mountain by people who believe in Inari no Mikami.
Mitsurugisha, like the three peaks, has long been the site of a Shinto festival. There is a large sword stone that enshrines the god. It is worshipped as the god of iron and steel.
The Oseki-sha enshrines the god of voice and throat, and is visited by people who want to cure sore throats, hoarse voices, and coughs.
The shrine is also worshipped by Kabuki actors, singers, and actors in the traditional Japanese performing arts.
The Yakurikisha Shrine is said to bring blessings of good health and longevity, and is a perfect place to pray for good health.
The Ganrikisha shrine is said to be beneficial to the eyes, and is said to bring blessings for bad eyesight and eye diseases, as well as for the power of foresight.
Thus, a tour of the mountains is reputed to bring a variety of benefits. Please allow plenty of time for your visit and receive the power of the mountains!
Enjoy your time in Fushimi Inari-taisha!
You can choose a course to visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine according to your time, stamina, and preference.
＜Approximate time required for each Fushimi Inari-taisha route＞
1. Round-the-clock course / approx. 2 hours
2. Yotsuji round trip / approx. 1 hour
3. Okusha Shrine round trip / approx. 40 min.
*Please refer to this as a guide as there are individual differences.
The Oyama-Meguri tour is a great way to enjoy the scenery and the mystical atmosphere of this spiritual place, and to visit the shrine while hiking.
An entire round trip of the Oyama Meguri to and from the main shrine is about 4 km, and the total time required is about 2 hours, including the time to visit the shrine. Why not enjoy the Oyama Meguri by choosing a course that is within your reasonable range? You can turn back at any point, so feel free to give it a try.
There are many places of worship and attractions scattered throughout the vast grounds of the temple.
Enjoy the scenery and feel the fresh mountain air as you visit the temple!
Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
TEL: 075-641-7331
Admission: Free
Official website:https://inari.jp/en/
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