Located in the town of Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates that form a tunnel up the mountain. The shrine is dedicated to Inari Okami, the Shinto god of rice and fertility, and is believed to be the tutelary deity of the region.
- Religion
- shinto
- Enshrined kami
- Inari
- Kami enshrined
- Inari Okami
- Coordinates
- 35.7447216, 139.7967573
Visitor tip
To experience the full grandeur of the torii gates, visit early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is not too high or low, allowing for optimal viewing.
Cultural notes
Fushimi Inari Taisha is closely tied to the mythology of the rice goddess Inari Okami. The shrine's torii gates are believed to have been erected by the local people as a form of prayer and thanksgiving. During the annual autumn festival, known as 'Omisoka,' lanterns are lit on the mountain to honor the god.
Historical note
The shrine was originally built in 711 AD during the Nara period and has undergone several restorations throughout Japanese history.