How to Visit Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kyoto
Last Updated on 27th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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One of the most interesting and beautiful places to visit in Kyoto is Fushimi Inari-taisha, a Shinto shrine dedicated to the rice goddess, Inari. Particularly unique thanks to the presence of over 10,000 Torii gates leading up the mountain, here’s how to visit Fushimi Inari, as well as what to know before you go.
Please note that taisha literally means Grand Shrine.


Contents
What is Fushimi Inari-taisha?
Japan has two major religions: Buddhism and Shinto. Shrines are part of the Shinto religion and can house a number of gods, which are known as kami (=spirit). Fushimi Inari-taisha is a shrine dedicated to Inari, the rice goddess, who is also the god of trade, commerce, and harvest.
There are actually thousands of shrines all over Japan which are dedicated to Inari and the goddess’s messengers on earth, which are believed to come in the form of foxes.
Indeed, whenever you visit a shrine to Inari, you’re sure to come across countless fox statues and there are over 100 fox statues lining the pathway to the top of the Inari mountain (the mountain is known as Inari, the same name as the rice goddess).

The most important of all these shrines dedicated to Inari is that of Fushimi Inari, which is located just to the south of Kyoto and is a highlight for many visiting the city. The shrine was founded by the Hata family as far back as 711.
You’ll need at least a few hours to explore Fushimi Inari-taisha, particularly if you’re planning on going all the way to the top of the mountain.
The red gates which line the mountain paths leading up to the shrine at the very top of the mountain are known as Torii gates. There are well over 10,000 of these and the highest density of these gates is known as the Senbon Torii.
Inari is 233 metres above sea level and the trail spans around 4 km. Each of the Torii gates lining the mountain path was donated by a different business and around 800 of the total 10000 are set up to feel as if you’re walking through a tunnel.
As you make your way up the mountain, you’ll notice that there are a number of spots where you can see smaller shrines which are part of various Shinto sects. There are also shops, rest stops (including vending machines), and restaurants.

Climbing to the top of the Inari Mountain
Upon arrival at the Inari JR station, you’re going to want to follow the crowds to reach the base of the mountain path leading up to the top shrine at the very top of Mount Inari. At the base of the mountain is where the main shrine is located.

The whole climb up takes between an hour to an hour and a half depending on your pace. You’re only supposed to walk in one direction as the whole mountain trail is a closed loop.
There won’t be any confusion in which direction to walk as the path is signposted and you’ll just need to follow the crowds. Around five minutes from the main shrine, when passing through the Torii gates, you’ll reach Senbon Torii, the highest concentration of gates on the whole mountain.

This is undoubtedly the busiest part of the shrine to visit, and becomes even busier during peak season (i.e. during the spring and fall). Carry on for another half an hour or so and you’ll reach the Yotsutsuji Intersection.
This area is where you’ll find an amazing view of the city (the best on the whole mountain). This is also the last rest area where you can buy drinks/ snacks/ souvenirs before reaching the summit. It’s at this point that many people choose to go back down the mountain.
However, if you carry on for another half an hour or so, you’ll reach the summit of the mountain. It’s at this point that you’ll reach another shrine.


Should you go all of the way to the top of Fushimi Inari?
Whether or not you want to hike all the way to the summit of Inari will depend entirely on your personal preference. We personally loved the hiking experience and really appreciated being able to see the Torii gates with few people around.
Close to the summit you’ll also find that it’s much quieter, a little cooler, and very tranquil. There were a few moments where we just stood in silence for a few moments, taking it all in and listening to the birds chirping and the leaves rustling in the wind.
I personally loved the hike but as someone who goes for the walks for the sake of walking I have to admit that the hike to the summit isn’t for everyone. However, we also reasoned that we had already put the effort in to walk up half the mountain and so we might as well complete the trip.


There are a few reasons why you wouldn’t want to visit the summit. After all, you’ll need to set aside around two hours to do the full loop, and so if you’re short on time then it might not be worth it to you. As well as timings, another factor you’ll want to consider is how much walking is involved.
We ended up walking over 30,000 steps on the day that we combined a visit to Fushimi Inari tasiha and a trip to Nara so walking distance is definitely something you should consider when factoring in whether or not you should go to the top of the mountain.
Last but not least, going to the top of the mountain is, by and large, seeing more Torii gates. As you’ve already seen the best view, enjoyed the rest stops, and spied some of the smaller shrines, you’ll be seeing more of the same of what you’ve already seen, albeit with fewer crowds.

How to read the Torii Gates
As I mentioned, the Torii Gates are actually donated by different businesses and individuals. On the left hand side when looking at the gate, the name of the business who donated the gate. On the right hand side, the date that the gate was donated is inscribed using the Japanese imperial year.
On the back of the gate, two Kanji are present: 奉納. These are read from left to right and mean offered or donated. Donating one of the vermilion torii gates costs between ¥400.000 and ¥1.000.000. The red paint symbolises protection against evil forces and there is mercury in the paint to help preserve the wood.

How to get to Fushimi Inari-taisha
The easiest way to reach Fushimi Inari-taisha is by taking the JR train line to Nara from Kyoto station. Inari station is the second stop (after Tofukuji) and is only around a 6 minute ride on the train. If you’re taking a JR route, then this is included in the JR rail pass.
Fom Inari Station, it’s only a short walk to reach Fushimi Inaria Taisha. It’s worth noting that the Shrine and Torii gates are completely free to visit and are open 24/7, meaning that one of the quieter times to visit is actually at night. With this being said, shops are only open between 9 AM and 5 PM.
I recommend heading to Fushimi Inari-taisha as part of my suggested one day in Kyoto itinerary.


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