Fushimi Inari-taisha 伏見稲荷大社
Kyoto’s most Instagrammable shrine dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, agriculture, business and apparently, extremely photogenic walkways. Founded in 711 CE, it’s the head shrine of approximately 30,000 Inari shrines scattered across Japan.
The main attraction is the seemingly infinite tunnel of 千本鳥居 senbon torii (thousands of torii gates) winding 4 km up Mount Inari.
Each gate is actually a donation from a Japanese business hoping for good fortune, with the donor’s name inscribed on the back. Think of it as ancient corporate sponsorship, but way more aesthetic.
Foxy Fushimi
You’ll notice fox (狐 kitsune) statues everywhere. They’re not just decorative – foxes are believed to be Inari’s messengers. Look for the stone foxes often holding symbolic items in their mouths:
- A key (for the rice granary)
- A scroll (for wisdom)
- A jewel (for prosperity)
- Nothing (they’re just hanging out)
Tips for tourists
Despite being one of Kyoto’s most famous attractions, Fushimi Inari-taisha charges no entrance fee. The shrine is supported entirely by donations and businesses paying for those Instagram-worthy gates.
Visit at dawn (shrine is open 24/7) or dusk when the gates take on an eerily beautiful atmosphere. Bonus: you’ll actually be able to take photos without strangers photobombing your shot.
Not into early mornings? Most tourists only visit the densely packed lower section of gates. If you continue hiking past the first major viewpoint at Yotsutsuji intersection, the crowds thin dramatically, and you’ll have sections of beautiful torii gates almost entirely to yourself.
Getting there
The shrine couldn’t be more convenient to reach:
- From Kyoto Station: Take the JR奈良線 JR Nara-sen (JR Nara Line) to 稲荷駅 Inari-eki (Inari Station) (5 minutes)
- From downtown: Take the 京阪本線 Keihan Honsen (Keihan Main Line) to 伏見稲荷駅 Fushimi-Inari-eki (Fushimi-Inari Station) (10 minutes from Gion-Shijo Station)