1 / 2

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Shrine

Prefecture

Kyoto

Type

Shrine

N/A

0 reviews

English Staff Train Access

About This Destination

Thousands of vermilion torii gates wind up the forested slopes of Mount Inari, creating one of Japan's most mesmerizing spiritual landscapes.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, sake, and prosperity. What draws visitors from around the world are the thousands of vermilion torii gates that line a network of trails winding through the forest up Mount Inari to its 233-meter summit. Most visitors photograph the famous tunnel of gates in the lower section and turn back, but the full pilgrimage to the peak and back takes two to three hours and rewards those who continue with increasing solitude. Past the halfway point, the crowds thin dramatically, and you may find yourself walking alone through corridors of weathered orange wood, small sub-shrines and stone fox statues appearing at intervals along the forested path. The shrine is open around the clock, making dawn and dusk particularly atmospheric times to visit. Fox statues guard the grounds throughout, serving as messengers of Inari. Entry is free. The lower paths are paved and accessible; upper sections become steeper and more rustic.

Location

Prefecture: Kyoto

Address: Kyoto, Japan

Nearest Station: Inari Station

View on Google Maps

Visitor Information

Credit Cards: Unknown

Food Options: Inari sushi, kitsune udon, and matcha soft serve at stalls near the base.

Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to get to Fushimi Inari Taisha?

Take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station (5 minutes, 150 yen). The shrine entrance is right outside the station — about a 1-minute walk. Alternatively, the Keihan Main Line stops at Fushimi-Inari Station (about 5 minutes' walk to the shrine), useful if you're coming from Gion or Demachiyanagi.

How long does it take to climb Mount Inari?

The full loop to the summit (233 m) and back takes 2–3 hours at a steady pace. Most visitors only walk the first section to the Yotsutsuji intersection viewpoint (about 45 minutes round trip), where crowds thin out significantly. Wear comfortable shoes — the path is mostly stone steps. Bring water and a small flashlight if you plan to descend after dark.

Is Fushimi Inari open at night?

Yes — the shrine is open 24 hours, free to enter, and the path is dimly lit by lanterns at night. Dawn and dusk are especially atmospheric and far less crowded than midday. Note that not every torii tunnel is fully illuminated; bringing a small light if hiking past the lower main gates after dark is safer. Many photographers come at sunrise to capture the empty torii tunnels.

What's the meaning of all those torii gates?

The thousands of vermilion torii gates were donated by individuals and businesses across Japan in thanks to Inari Okami, the Shinto deity of rice and prosperity. Each gate has the donor's name and date on the back. Donations to add a new gate cost from around 400,000 yen for a small one to over a million yen for the largest, and gates are continually replaced when wood weathers. The whole mountain is the shrine — the buildings at the bottom are just the entry.