The Tōshōgū Shrine in Nikkō, Tochigi Prefecture is dedicated to the deified spirits of Tokugawa Ieyasu and his sons, but there is another important Shinto shrine in Japan named 稲荷神社 (Inari-jinja), located in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Dedicated to Inari Ōkami, this shrine is famous for its vermilion torii gates and silver lanterns. The shrine complex includes a five-story pagoda and many shrines dedicated to various regional kami. Visitors can participate in the 'Shinzen no Kaidan' or 'five-storied gate' ceremony, where visitors walk around the main torii gate five times to purify themselves before entering the shrine.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Ōkami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Ōkami
- Coordinates
- 36.289081, 140.3734853
Visitor tip
Visitors can purchase and tie ribbons on the vermilion torii gates as a symbol of gratitude, but be sure to tie them neatly so they do not get caught by the wind.
Cultural notes
Inari-jinja is famous for its fox kami, Inari Ōkami's messengers, who are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity. During the autumn leaves season (koyo), the shrine hosts a festival honoring the fox kami, where visitors can participate in traditional dances and games.
Historical note
The current shrine was rebuilt in 1620 after a fire destroyed the original structure.