Kyoto · Fushimi
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of about 30 thousand Inari shrines in Japan. According to the shrine, the deity was enshrined on Mount Inari in 711. In the past people asked it for good harvests and rain, and over the generations it also became the god of commerce and success in business. The foxes in every corner are its messengers, not the deity itself.
About 10 thousand torii gates stand along the paths on the mountain. The custom spread from the Edo period: someone whose wish came true donates a gate as thanks, because you pass through a gate, just as a wish passes through.
Mount Inari rises to 233 meters, and tens of thousands of small stones, otsuka, are scattered along its peaks, with the names of gods carved on them by people. The large entrance gate, Romon, is attributed to Hideyoshi in 1589, and during the 1973 restoration an ink inscription with that same year was found inside it.
Good to know
- From the main hall to Okusha, at the end of the dense stretch of gates, takes about 10 to 15 minutes. From there to the Yotsutsuji junction, about 20 more minutes. The full loop over the peaks is about 4 km and about two hours.
- At Okusha stands the Omokaru stone. You make a wish and lift the stone: if it is lighter than you expected, the wish will come true easily.
- In September 2026 the shrine published a request to visitors not to dance, shout or sit on the paths, after dance performances blocked the way.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Fushimi Inari Taisha.
- HereFushimi Inari Taisha
- ~2 min
Nezameya Food
A long-established restaurant near the back entrance to the shrine. Inari-zushi, rice in a seasoned fried tofu pouch, seven pieces for ¥1,050, and grilled quail. You order at least one dish per diner.
- ~3 min
JR Inari Station Lamp House More to see
A small brick hut from 1879, from the opening of the old Tokaido Line, that was used to store the station's oil lamps. It is designated a railway heritage site.
- ~3 min
Vermillion espresso bar & info. Cafe
A small cafe near JR Inari Station, named after the color of the torii gates. An espresso before you climb the mountain.
- ~4 min
Inafuku Food
A casual restaurant on the way from JR Inari Station. In winter they grill kan-suzume here, sparrows caught in the cold season, and there is also inari-zushi with sesame and burdock.
- ~25 min
Nishimura-tei Food
A restaurant with about 100 seats at the Yotsutsuji junction, halfway up the mountain, with a view over Kyoto. Kitsune udon, with sweet fried tofu, about ¥700. On the 1st of every month it is open from 05:00 to 15:00.
More in Fushimi
Appears in: Fushimi Inari: the torii gates at sunrise, Tofuku-ji and the sake district