Located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, Inari Okunoin Shrine is a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel up the mountain. The shrine honors Inari Okami, the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and industry. Visitors often pray for good fortune, prosperity, and success in their careers at this shrine.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari Okami
- Coordinates
- 34.8703486, 134.688065
Visitor tip
To avoid long lines, visit the shrine early in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is not directly overhead.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is often depicted as a young woman with foxes, reflecting his association with fertility and rice. The shrine's vermilion torii gates symbolize the connection between heaven and earth. During the annual Inari Matsuri festival in May, thousands of devotees offer rice balls called 'senbei' to the kami.
Historical note
Established during the Nara period (710-794 CE), Inari Okunoin Shrine has been an important site for over 1,200 years.