Inasashi Shrine is one of the oldest shrines in Japan, dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Okami. Located on Mount Inari in Kyoto, it's famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel up the mountain. Visitors can follow the torii gate trail and make offerings at the shrine along the way.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.4596088, 134.8743867
Visitor tip
To avoid crowds, visit early in the morning or later in the evening and try to make an offering at one of the smaller shrines along the torii gate trail.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is revered as a kami of fertility, agriculture, and industry. The shrine is famous for its annual festivals, including the Sanja Matsuri and the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, which celebrate Inari's role as a protector of rice crops and businesses. The torii gates are also said to have purifying properties.
Historical note
Established during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), Inasashi Shrine has been a major Shinto shrine for over 900 years.