Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the Inari faith, famous worldwide for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that create tunnels up the mountainside. Located in southern Kyoto, it is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto deity of rice, prosperity, and foxes. The shrine complex extends up Mount Inari with numerous sub-shrines and offers spectacular hiking trails through the torii tunnels.
Dedicated to Inari Ōkami, the Shinto deity of rice, sake, and prosperity, this shrine serves as the head shrine of approximately 40,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan. Worshippers come to pray for abundant harvests, business success, and good fortune, often making offerings of rice, sake, or fried tofu (aburaage), which is considered Inari's favorite food. The shrine is renowned for its thousands of vermillion torii gates that create tunnels up the sacred Mount Inari, where devotees and businesses donate gates as expressions of gratitude for answered prayers and continued blessings.
- Denomination
- Inari
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Ukanomitama-no-Okami, Sarutahiko-no-Okami, Omiyanome-no-Okami, Tanaka-no-Okami, Shi-no-Okami
- Founding
- Nara period · 711
- Shrine rank
- Kanpei-taisha
- Coordinates
- 34.8816728, 136.579138
Visitor tip
Start early in the morning to avoid crowds and bring comfortable walking shoes for the mountain trail that can take 2-3 hours to complete.
Cultural notes
Fox messengers called kitsune are considered sacred at Inari shrines, and numerous fox statues guard the grounds. The thousands of torii gates represent successful prayers and continued prosperity of donors, creating one of Japan's most iconic spiritual landscapes that appears frequently in popular culture worldwide.
Historical note
Founded in 711 CE, Fushimi Inari Taisha has served as the head shrine for approximately 40,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan. The practice of donating torii gates began in the Edo period, with businesses and individuals contributing gates as offerings for successful ventures. The shrine gained imperial patronage and became increasingly important as a center for prayers related to business prosperity and good harvests.