Fushimi Inari Taisha – A Blaze of Orange in Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha was my favourite place to visit in Kyoto and a highlight of my trip to Japan. Hypnotic, colourful, mesmerising, and truly unique. 

Visually, it’s so striking you’ll have a hard time ever forgetting it. If you’ve watched Memoirs of a Geisha, you might recognise it as one of the locations used in the film.

It’s difficult to describe Fushimi Inari Taisha as a mere Shinto Shrine. That’s like describing Picasso as just a painter. Fushimi Inari is a vast complex of shrines and thousands of shrine gates (known as torii) spread across an entire mountain in Southeast Kyoto.  It’s a unique sight to say the least.

Fushimi Inari mountain shrine

Brief history of Fushimi Inari Taisha & its importance

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Kyoto, with its founding dating back to 711 AD. It was established by the powerful Hata clan for the worship of Inari, the Shinto god of rice, fertility, and prosperity. Inari is also considered the patron of business and merchants.

The Hata clan, known for its expertise in sericulture (silk farming), had strong ties to the Inari deity. Inari was believed to ensure prosperity in agriculture and business, making the shrine a significant place of worship.

Over the centuries, Fushimi Inari Taisha gained the patronage of the imperial family and aristocracy. The shrine became associated with good fortune, prosperity, and protection.

Follow the path to Mount Inari

The vibrant torii gates follow the path up the sacred Mount Inari. I had all ambition of climbing Mount Inari but my attempt to reach the top was squashed three quarters of the way up after the heavens well and truly opened.

If I had the hindsight of bringing an umbrella with me, or had been equipped with waterproof clothing, I would have trudged all the way up to the top.

But I was wearing a dress with tights and a wooly top, not exactly what you want to be caught up in the rain wearing!

Luckily, walking back down under the tunnel-like torii gates proved decent shelter, and the next best thing to an umbrella.

I wasn’t too upset about not reaching the top because I loved exploring the path. The majority of visitors seem to stay closer to the bottom near Honden (the main temple), so I encourage you to walk further up the path if you want to experience the peace and tranquility of less tourists (this is one of Kyoto’s main attractions so it does get busy!).

Shinto Shrine, Kyoto Japan

Along the path, I met a trio of Japanese girls dressed in exquisite kimonos.

We walked together for a little while after I saw them trying to take a group photo, I asked if I could help and they appeared happy that I offered. It was also the perfect opportunity for me to take some photos of them. I felt really lucky because they were each so beautiful and they looked even more amazing against the vermilion torii gates.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Geisha

It’s really popular for Japanese girls who live outside of Kyoto to dress up in kimonos as a form of fancy dress, it’s almost a novelty for them as it would be for a foreigner.

Seeing the girls made me wish that I was travelling with someone else so I could get away dressing up like a Geisha or at least experience what it’s like to dress up in a kimono with all the heavy material. Doing it on your own feels more ridiculous than it does entertaining!

Fushimi inari, kyoto japan

I’ve found one of the best things you can do to open up conversations with strangers is to ask them if they’ll take your photo.

Often this does mean you won’t quite get the photo you want, the horizon is wonky, your legs are cut off at your ankles, you’ve got a double chin. However, in Japan, I discovered the Japanese are solid photographers! When you’re travelling solo this is definitely a nice addition when travelling in Japan.

When is the best time to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha?

I’ve read that Fushimi Inari Taisha can get extremely busy in the height of the season, luckily it was okay when I visited but had it been any busier, the wonder and pleasure of exploring this place would have been significantly hindered.

I suggest visiting really early in the morning or late in the afternoon after the crowds lessen, at this time you should be able to take photos without hoards of people getting in the way too! The gates stay open extremely late, so if you’re here in the summer, I suggest going for sunset.

Fushimi Inari, Kyoto Shrine

Foxes and Inari

As you explore the complex, you will notice A LOT of foxes statues, and you might be wondering what they mean?

Foxes (kitsune) are closely associated with Inari, and stone fox statues, often adorned with red votive bibs, can be found throughout the shrine.

Fox statue, inari, Kyoto, Japan

Foxes are considered divine messengers in Japanese folklore. Foxes (kitsune) are considered divine messengers of Inari, and are often depicted as guardians of the rice fields and bringers of good fortune.

Votive bibs, when tied around the necks of fox statues, are believed to provide protection and blessings. The act of offering and tying the bib is a way for individuals to seek the favor of Inari and the protection of the fox spirits. You spot these bibs all over Buddhist statues in Japan. They look very quirky, and rather out of place to a Westerner, but at least you now know why they are there!

How to get to Fushimi Inari Taisha

  • It depends where you’re travelling from, but from Kyoto Station take the JR Nara Line (local train) bound for Nara.
  • Get off at Inari Station, which is just two stops away from Kyoto Station.
  • Follow the signs to Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is a short walk from Inari Station.

 

Only steps away from the JR station, and well sign-posted, this famous shrine is easy to find. 

Taxis and Uber are available in Kyoto. You can simply enter the address or name of Fushimi Inari Taisha into your app and get dropped off near the entrance.

It’s also free to enter which is pretty awesome when you’re pinched at the purse strings!

Do you have plans to visit Fushimi Inari Taisha?

Visiting Japan and want more inspiration?

Further reading: 2 Weeks in Japan – Perfect Guide for First-Timers and also 3 Days in Kyoto.

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Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

10 Responses

  1. I notice writing on one side, but not the other, or is that a different set of orange? Selfie sticks amuse me too 😉

    1. Correct! One side has Japanese characters carved into the toriis, I can’t even conceive how long it must have taken to create all of these! I regret not asking someone if they could translate a small section for me…

  2. It is a stunning place. I didn’t make it to the top either, but that was due to me not leaving enough time. I think to get away from most of the crowds you need to go up higher.
    Selfie sticks look ridiculous, however, they are a great help if wanting to get a shot of yourself either solo or as a couple without having to disturb other people to do it for you, it allows you to get background in unlike just stretching out your arm. I don’t know, I’m a bit undecided about them.
    http://www.mytravelbugbite.wordpress.com

    1. Hi Emma! That’s true, the higher you get the less tourists there are!

      Selfie sticks definitely come in handy when you’re solo travelling, at times I could have done with one, especially for the reason of wanting to get the background in. It’s seeing people using them in inconvenient or unnecessary places like airports or shopping centres which leave me questioning their function!

  3. I never made it here during my time in Kyoto and I’m regretting it now. I love how bright and orange it is! Great photographs, Shing 🙂

  4. It’s a pity you couldn’t get ‘dressed up’. My wife and I were in Japan in 2000. The accommodation (for international researchers) had a cultural evening. Rung and I both got dressed up in traditional Japanese wedding gear. Even my Japanese colleagues admitted they wore western dress when they got married. Rung (being Asian) looked the part. I looked uncomfortable.

    As for selfie sticks…. They were all the rage in Shanghai when I was there last month with my daughter. Vendors were thrusting them constantly in your face. Not surprisingly my daughter got one and, like you, I enjoyed taking pictures of Mon taking selfies.

    1. Hi Nigel! I know, I missed out not getting dressed up. But on the bright side, now I have more reasons to return! I bet you and your wife looked awesome! It’s interesting to read that your Japanese colleagues all wore western dress on their wedding day…. When I read this I realised I didn’t even know what a traditional Japanese wedding dress looked like. In case you don’t either, it’s a white silk kimono, and to be honest it doesn’t look anywhere near as beautiful as the colourful patterned kimonos. (And at the risk of being too honest… it looks like something the Pope wears!)

      Did your daughter enjoy Shanghai? I hope you both had a great time, with or without the selfie sticks! 😀

      1. Hmmmm. How can I send you a picture of Rung and me in trad Japanese wedding attire? Because what Rung was wearing was very colourful. 15 kg of silk as I recall for the top (seventh) covering.

        Mon (our daughter) enjoyed Shanghai. Her only previous foreign experience was four years living in Bhutan which was totally different.

        I have not been back to Japan in ten years and miss it. I hope you get back soon. It is just about my number one country – out of 23 visited.

  5. Fushimi inari is one of the most interesting kyoto shrines … the climb with the torii is tiring but it is worth the effort … so many people, but on working days one walks well. Not to go in the summer with the hot humid Japanese … I wrote an article about this sanctuary https://www.giappominkia.com/fushimi-inari/
    Fascinating to know that there are over 40 thousand Inari shrines throughout Japan and Fushimi is the origin of all.

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