Located in the city of Sendai, Miyazaki Prefecture's capital, is the Inari Okappachi Shrine, dedicated to Inari, Okappachi (Inari, God of Rice) and also known as Inari Gunza. The shrine is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel leading to the main hall, representing the abundance of rice offered by the people to the kami. During the spring and autumn equinoxes, the shrine holds festivals where visitors pray for good harvests and fertility.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okappachi
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Okappachi
- Coordinates
- 38.4340081, 141.3114568
Visitor tip
To avoid long lines, consider visiting early in the morning or later in the evening when the shrine is less crowded.
Cultural notes
Inari is revered as a kami of rice and fertility. According to legend, Inari descended from the mountain goddess Amaterasu, who brought fertility to the land. The vermilion torii gates symbolize the abundance of rice offered by the people to Inari, ensuring a good harvest.
Historical note
The Inari Okappachi Shrine has been in existence since the 7th century, during the Nara period.