Inari Okami Shrine is one of Japan's oldest and most famous Shinto shrines, dedicated to the worship of Inari Okami, the god of rice and fertility. Located in Ibaraki Prefecture, the shrine is renowned for its vermilion torii gates and thousands of small shrines known as 'shrines within a shrine.' Visitors can pray for good fortune, prosperity, and success in their endeavors by offering red string (itsukimi) to the kami.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari Okami
- Kami enshrined
- Inari, Okami
- Coordinates
- 36.1011975, 139.8973489
Visitor tip
To honor the shrine's tradition, tie a colored string around the torii gate before entering, and make an offering at the main shrine with your own thread.
Cultural notes
Inari Okami is also closely associated with the mythical rat spirit, Inari no Kami. The shrine's famous 'shrines within a shrine' structure is said to be based on this mythological connection, where a larger shrine contains smaller shrines dedicated to various aspects of the kami's power.
Historical note
The foundation of Inari Okami Shrine dates back to the 8th century.