Located in the heart of Akita, the Inari Shrine is one of Japan's most iconic and revered Shinto shrines. Dedicated to the kami Inari Okami, the shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel up the mountain, said to represent the trails of rice grain offered by devotees.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Okami
- Coordinates
- 39.2935192, 140.5272177
Visitor tip
To get the best views of the shrine's torii gates, visit at sunrise or sunset when the light is soft and golden.
Cultural notes
Inari Shrine is deeply connected to agriculture and fertility in Japanese culture. During the autumn festival of Aki Matsuri, visitors can watch the rice fields change colors as the autumn leaves turn red and orange.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built in 718 AD during the Nara period and has been rebuilt several times throughout Japanese history.