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Exploring Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha)

Out of all the things to see in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine was by far the most recommended sight to me in Kyoto. Everyone said to I had to see it…and I mean everyone! From random folks I met at the gym in Tokyo, to the person whose apartment I was renting through Airbnb..there were a wide variety of people saying it was a must-see.

And Fushimi Inari Shrine did not disappoint! Fushimi Inari has more than 10,000 torii gates on trails that head through a forest up sacred Mount Inari. It is incredible to see! You can spend hours hiking up these beautiful trails.

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha)

Quick Facts About Fushimi Inari

*The torii gates are actually donated by individuals and businesses, the cost to donate one goes anywhere from 400,000 yen to 1 million yen.

*Fushimi Inari is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice.

*Foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers….so, there are many fox statues throughout this shrine.

*Fushimi Inari Shrine was founded all the way back in 711 AD!

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha)

Photo Tip!

Many people (myself included) tried to get photos with the gates right away – don’t bother! There are so many people it’s impossible to get a decent photo. But if you walk up the trails another 15 minutes, the crowds disperse…and photos become much easier to take.

Getting to Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Shrine is quite easy to get to using the train. It’s just outside the JR station and is the second stop if you’re coming from Kyoto Station. (About a 5-minute train ride.)

This is what we did and explored on our own. However, there are a variety of tours that will take you there as well. Many people also combine touring Fushimi Inari with touring local sake breweries. You can click here for more information on those tours. (Sorry my husband and I are not sake drinkers, so we didn’t do this tour.)

You can see more photos of Fushimi Inari in the photo gallery below. Just click on the photos to make them full size.

Fushimi Inari Shrine Photo Gallery

I also have a few random photos to share that I had taken from that morning in Gion (Kyoto’s most famous Geisha district). It seems crazy that they need a sign that says not to touch the Geisha!

*To see my outfit post from Gion/Fushimi Inari, click here. And click here to see my post from spending an evening with Geisha in Kyoto.

Exploring Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto
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10 Comments

  1. The shrine colors are amazing, so bright and beautiful! This is so neat. It looks like you two are having a wonderful time.

    astylishlovestory.blogspot.com

    1. It was so incredible! And we did have an amazing time…however, we were both ready to die because it was SO hot that day. Haha! Glad it doesn’t show! 😉

  2. Oh that dress ?

    I absolutely adored Fushimi Inari and two years later I’m still devastated that I lost the handcarved fox keyring I bought from an old man there. We went on a rainy summer day so it was really foggy – our photos look very “moody” but not nearly as gorgeous as this, looks like you got incredible weather!

    Jessi | www.fullofliving.com

    1. Thank you so much, Jessi! Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear you lost the fox keyring! I honestly think your experience sounds better, haha. It was SO hot the day we went! But gosh, it was gorgeous! 🙂

  3. Lovely photos! I need to make a list of all the places and things you’ve mentioned on the blog, for when I hopefully someday go to Japan.
    Hope you are having a great day.
    Much love,
    Mona

  4. I loved the gates! Fushimi Inari seems to be really incredible, I am loving all your posts in Japan! Yes, it’s a bit “bad” when we want a picture so much and hoards of people are around. I wouldn’t take the sake tour either, I even don’t like alcohol much. I loved your pictures! Today I have something different, because I normally post just once a week, but today I have a post about self-confidence. Would love to know your opinion! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!
    DenisesPlanet.com

    1. Aw, thank you so much, Denise! And oh yes, it can be frustrating trying to get the perfect photo…fortunately here, we just had to walk for a little ways and all was fine. 🙂 I will definitely be stopping by your blog this weekend! Sounds like a great post. 🙂

  5. Another beautiful and interesting place! My hubby actually like saki when he was there, so he would probably love to tour the saki brewery. 🙂

    1. Thank you so much, Laurie! I really need to try sake again, haha. But gosh, I have a hard time with anything that’s not beer or wine, haha!

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