Located in Nagahama, Shiga Prefecture, the Inari Shrine is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the Shinto god of rice and prosperity, Inari Okami. The shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel up the mountain, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. Visitors can walk through the gates and pray for good luck, love, or success.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.6126118, 135.8908884
Visitor tip
To avoid long lines, visit the shrine early in the morning or during the week, and consider purchasing a ticket for the shrine's observation deck for a panoramic view of Nagahama.
Cultural notes
Inari is often depicted as a fox god in Shinto mythology, which is reflected in the shrine's many fox sculptures. The shrine also celebrates the annual Inari Festival, where thousands of visitors pray and make offerings to the god.
Historical note
The shrine was founded in 747 CE by Prince Nagaya no Okami no Mikoto, who was said to have discovered a shrine at the site where he found a sacred rice stalk.