Inaka Inari Shrine, dedicated to the rice goddess Inari Okami, is a revered Shinto site located in Shiga Prefecture. Founded in 730 CE, it's one of Japan's oldest shrines and a testament to the importance of rice in Japanese culture. The shrine's architecture reflects its Heian-era origins, with a distinctive vermillion torii gate and traditional wooden buildings.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.1097618, 135.9064842
Visitor tip
To purify your hands before worship, rinse them in the well-fed stream that runs through the shrine's grounds.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is revered as a patron of fertility, prosperity, and music. The shrine's famous red torii gate is believed to symbolize the connection between heaven and earth, while its numerous fox statues (Kitsune) are said to embody the goddess's mischievous spirit.
Historical note
Built during the Nara period (712-794 CE) and restored after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923