The vermilion tori tunnel gates of Fushimi Inari are one of the most frequently photographed sites of Kyoto and make for a hauntingly beautiful path of orange and black. Fushimi Inari shrine sits at the base of a mountain 223 meters above sea level, and the winding tori gates straddle a meandering upward path that takes approximately 2 to 3 hours by foot to hike.
I was looking forward to visiting this shrine ever since watching Memoirs of a Geisha, where the film’s opening credit scene follows a laughing girl weaving in and out of the gates. Fushimi Inari is of significant cultural relevance to Kyoto and has ancient origins, predating the capital’s move in 794. This shrine is the head shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice and the grounds are sprinkled with Fox statues among the gates. Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers, and they typically hold a symbolic key (to the rice granary) in their mouths.
You can hike upward as far as you wish up the mountain or turn back at any time. For a nice view overlooking Kyoto, walk about 30 to 45 minutes upward until reaching the Yotsutsuji intersection, about halfway up the mountain. From here, you can take a circular route to Mt. Inari’s summit, or head back down the hill to explore Kyoto’s other cultural relics.
Getting There
The shrine lies just outside the JR Nara Line Inari Station, about 5 minutes from Kyoto Station. Or, walk from the Keihan Electric Railway Main Line’s Fushimi Inari Station, as we did. (Admission: Free | Closed: Never)
Must Try: On your way to the base of the main tori gate, you’ll pass a number of sweets and souvenir shops. Stop at one to try the tsujiura senbei, a form of fortune cookie some say is the origin of today’s Chinese America fortune cookies
Read more: Travel to Japan
Want to know what else to do in Tokyo? Check out my full Japan series:
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Tsukiji Fish Market Pt 1 Is the Tuna Auction Worth Visiting?
Tsukiji Fish Market Pt 2 (You Woke Up Late) The Other Stalls
How to Travel Japan Shinkansen & the Japan Rail Pass
Tokyo’s Most Famous Temple: Asakusa and Senso-Ji
Hotel Review Mornings at the Park Hyatt Tokyo
Tokyo Sights: Visiting the Imperial East Gardens
Kyoto
More photos from Fushimi Inari Shrine (Memoirs of a Geisha!)
What Does It Mean to Donate a Torii Gate
Sanjusangendo Temple and the 1,000 Statues of Kannon
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Sushi for Breakfast, Really? Sushi Daiwa at Tsukiji
Delicious Bakery Treats Mont Thabor & The Park Hyatt
Is Japan Vegetarian Friendly? Here’s What You Can Expect & Eat More Greens
Dessert Among Diamonds Mikimoto Lounge
How Good is Japanese Tonkatsu
great photos dear! Looks like an amazing time!!
Wish you a huge weekend!
XX
http://floortjeloves.com
Author
Thanks for stopping by Floortje :)
Great pics and tips! Are the fortune cookies better than the american chinese ones?? :)
Author
Ha not sure, I didn’t end up trying one!
amazing!
Author
Thanks!
Sher, this place looks magical! I love everything about it (and you’re making me want to pack my bags for Japan ASAP :)
Author
Thanks Amy! :) If you ever get the chance to go, you should! I had a great time in Kyoto