Located in Gunma Prefecture, the Inari Shrine is one of Japan's most famous Shinto shrines, known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel up the mountain. This shrine is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and industry, Inari Okami.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari
- Coordinates
- 35.9860383, 139.5900142
Visitor tip
To reach the shrine's upper torii gates, purchase a special ticket at the foot of the mountain and 'rent' a paper pouch containing ema tokens to hang on the gates as you ascend.
Cultural notes
The Inari Shrine is famous for its numerous fox spirits (Inari-Okami no ko) said to reside within its grounds. Foxes are revered as symbols of fertility, prosperity, and good luck in Shinto culture. During New Year's (Oshogatsu), visitors bring offerings of rice cakes and sake to the shrine's fox statues.
Historical note
Founded in 718 AD by Emperor Shōmu, making it one of Japan's oldest shrines.