Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

About the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations. Located in Kyoto, this Shinto Shrine is the head shrine of the god Inari. It is believed that there are close to 32,000 sub-shrines for Inari in Japan.

The highlight of the shrine is rows of thousands of Shinto Torii, known as Senbon Torii. Visitors will also see many statues of foxes. Foxes are popular in Inari Shrines as they are seen as the messengers.

The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine dates back to the year 711 AD. The main building, or go-Honden, was built in 1499, and the Senbon Torii began to line the pathways around the year 1603.

In addition to the shrines and Torii, there is a path that leads up to a mountain, which is also named Inari. At the top is another Shinto Shrine. I set out to make it to the top, but after walking about a third of the way, I became too tired and ran out of water. I decided to turn off the path and take a loop route back to the go-Honden or main shrine.

The Entry to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
The Entry to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
A Statue of a fox at Inari-taisha Shrine
A Statue of a fox at Inari-taisha Shrine
The go-Honden or Main Shrine
The go-Honden or Main Shrine

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Table of Contents

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Getting to the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

The Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine is easily accessible from the Inari Station. The shrine is literally across the street from the station, and within minutes I was ready to enter. There was no entry fee to enter the shrine, but there was a brief bag check. The security agent looked in my backpack and then let me through.

On the way out, I walked about one half of a mile to a different train station. The Fushimi Inari Station was on a separate line and would take me back to Kyoto’s central station.

The Street Near Fushimi Inari Station
Walking Towards Fushimi Inari Station

Visiting the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

After entering by walking under a vast Shinto Torii, I walked past the go-Honden or main shrine. The go-Honden was filled with active worshippers, and I was careful not to disturb them. Past the go-Honden is a walkway that takes visitors through a pathway lined by thousands of Shinto Torii or Senbon Torii. After each set of Torii, there is a walkway that you can turn off to complete the loop.

The path continues to go up the side of the mountain until it eventually reaches the top of Mt. Inari. If you want to take pictures of the Torii, without visitors getting in your way, it would be a good idea to walk up past the first three Torii-lined pathways. After the third set, most of the people have left the walkway to return to the shrine.

Foxes at the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Foxes in front of the Main Shrine
Side View of the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Part of the Main Shrine
The Beginning of the Senbon Torii
The Beginning of the Senbon Torii
Senbon Torii Walk at the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Walking Through the Senbon Torii
Senbon Torii Walk at the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
It was Very Crowded for the First Three Sets of Senbon Torii
Walking Through the Senbon Torii
Senbon Torii Set Number Two
Sides of the Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha
The Sides of the Senbon Torii
Senbon Torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha
By the Third Set of Senbon Torii the Crowd Thins
It was Hard to Take Photos Without Lots of People at the Fushimi Inari Taisha's Senbon Torii Pathways
I Finally got a Picture Without So Many People
Senbon Torii in Kyoto, Japan
Senbon Torii

This shrine was one of my favorite places I visited in Japan. The area was so clean, and I couldn’t believe how well the Torii was taken care of. There was no graffiti or garbage left on the ground. Despite having thousands of Torii, that were made out of wood, they were all in great shape. One of the tourists near me said that he heard that local businesses provided one Torii each. After some research, I learned that the Torii had been being donated since 1603. It is believed that wishes would come true in exchange for a donated Torii. Sometimes, Torii would be donated if a wish came true as well.

On the way down, I walked the loop which took me on a different route. I walked past hundreds of individual family shrines. Each was dedicated to the God Inari.

My Favorite Photo of the Senbon Torii at Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
My Favorite Picture of the Senbon Torii
Fushimi Inari-taisha Senbon Torii
One of the Turn-Offs to Return to the Entrance
Senbon Torii
Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Kyoto, Japan
Family Shrines at Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Various Family Shrines to Inari
A Shrine at Fushimi Inari Taisha
Shinto Shrine

Kyoto Tours and Packages that Include the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

A tour is not necessary to visit the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. The Shrine is located very close to public transportation, is free to enter, and is open 24 hours. I know some people prefer to take tours and have the expertise of a local guide. I have listed four tours below that caught my eye. I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.

Prices are accurate as of May 2023.

Kyoto Highlights Private Tour Including Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Kyoto Highlights Private Tour: Kinkakuji, Fushimi Inari Shrine, & Kiyomizudera - $186.01

Explore the famous temples and shrines of Kyoto and learn about the history of Buddhism and Shintoism in Japan in your very own private guided tour. See Kinkakuji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, a Zen temple in northern Kyoto famous for it’s stunning gold leaf covered exterior. Step back in time as you walk through the thousands of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine. Discover the breathtaking views of Kiyomizudera Temple. Learn about the history of Kyoto and the lives and beliefs of the local people. Explore the spiritual side of Japan and book your TripleLights Kyoto private tour today.

Kyoto Day Tour Including Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
Kyoto Best Day Tour in Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and Kinkaku-ji Temples - $84.11

This tour will bring you to visit Arashiyama, Kinkakuji temple & Fushimi Inari Shrine in a day!

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?Meetup Info?

» Address: JR Kyoto Station - Kyoto Sightseeing Bus Karasumaguchi Terminal. Exchange your voucher at the ticket window.

» Please arrive at the meet up location at least 20mins in advance to redeem your bus ticket.

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?Itinerary?
• 9:40am meet up in JR Kyoto Station - Kyoto Sightseeing Bus Karasumaguchi Terminal. Exchange your voucher at the ticket window
• 10:00am depart from JR Kyoto Station Bus Terminal
• 10:35am Arashiyama. Free time. Please make your way to Tenryuji Temple (Garden only), admission already included in the tickets. Time to have lunch during the free time
• 12:55am Parking lot outside Arashiyama Kadurano. Head to next attraction
• 13:20pm Kinkakuji Temple
• 14:40pm Fushimi Inari Shrine
• 15:50pm Fushimi Inari Parking Lot. Head back to JR Kyoto
• 16:05pm Return to Kyoto station Karasumaguchi terminal. Tour ends here

Fushimi Inari Shrine Tour with a Local
?Fushimi inari shrine?A local born in Kyoto shares the secret path away tourists - $165.79

?About me?
I grew up in Fushimi region and live near Fushimi Inari Taisha. So I know on Fushimi inari shrine since I was a boy. Now Fushimi Inari shrine is one of the most popular places to visit, but there are too many people around and it is like an amusement park. I would like you to feel the nature and peace here as the locals used to do. I am a local who knows this mountain's courses very well and many beautiful hiking paths are hidden, they are not on the official map. If you like to know secret places where are not crowded in Kyoto, feel free to ask me. Welcome your questions about Japan as well.

I also own my tour agency since 2011.

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