Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine featuring a temple or place of worship and interior views as well as a small group of people


This shrine at the base of Inari Mountain is dedicated to the goddess of rice and prosperity. See its thousands of red gates around a network of beautiful trails.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine was founded in 711 and is the head shrine for the 40,000 shrines to Inari, goddess of rice and prosperity, in Japan. Worshippers come here to ask for wealth and success in business, and travellers come to enjoy the beauty and history of the area.

Although the shrine buildings are attractive and well worth the visit, many visitors come just to explore the surrounding area. The mountain trails around the shrine have torii gates (Japanese temple gates) the whole way along. These gates are donated by individuals and companies and each has the donator’s name and the date of the donation inscribed on the back. Ascend through paths so thick with gates they take on a tunnel-like appearance. Lanterns light the way on gloomy days. Stone shrines, carvings, waterfalls and ponds feature along the paths, making the trails a great place for photography.

Foxes, believed to be the messengers of Inari, feature heavily at this temple, which is one of Kyōto’s free historic attractions. Look out for the bronze statues of these animals throughout the site some hold the keys to the rice stores in their jaws.

The return trip to the peak of the mountain takes between two to three hours, but it’s worth giving yourself more time to stop at one of the restaurants on the way to sample udon (noodle), fried tofu and sushi with hot tea or a cup of saké. There are even stalls selling charms.

If you decide to hike right to the mountain’s peak, you’ll be rewarded with views over Kyōto, and the higher you climb the thinner the crowds get. It’s worth hanging around until dusk too, when the lanterns come on, lending the scene a magical quality.

The shrine is open every day, and is close to the train station JR Inari on the JR Nara Line.

Price found within the past 48 hours. Click for updated prices.
Tanimachi-Kun Hotel Ebisucho 72
Hotel Keihan Universal Tower
SENBONKITA MATAICHIKYO

Reviews of Fushimi Inari Shrine

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
153
" "5 - Excellent 61.44578313253012%
4 - Good
82
" "4 - Good 32.93172690763052%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 5.220883534136546%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 0.40160642570281124%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Gareth

Great place but super busy and packed with tourists.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Very crowded.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller

So crowded it was impossible to even take photos or stop moving.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Go VERY early

5/5 - Excellent

R.Ho

You should go very very early in the morning if you would like nice pictures. After 9am there are lots and lots of other tourists. Difficult to get a nice picture without others in it.

Popular places to visit


Top Fushimi Inari Shrine Hotel Deals

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
3 out of 5
44-1 Higashikujo Kamitonodacho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
JR WEST GROUP VIA INN PRIME KYOTOEKI HACHIJOGUCHI
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
4 out of 5
1 Taimatsu-cho, Shiokoji-sagaru, HigashiHorikawa-dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kyoto
Urban Hotel Kyoto
Urban Hotel Kyoto
3 out of 5
4-59 Nishiura-cho, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Urban Hotel Kyoto
Randor Residential Hotel Kyoto Suites
Randor Residential Hotel Kyoto Suites
3.5 out of 5
38-1 Higashikujo Kitamatsunokicho, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Randor Residential Hotel Kyoto Suites
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
4 out of 5
44-1, Kamitonodacho, Higashikujo, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Hotel Vischio Kyoto by GRANVIA 
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
4 out of 5
17 Nishi Kujoin-machi, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Miyako Hotel Kyoto Hachijo
Kyoto Century Hotel
Kyoto Century Hotel
4 out of 5
680 Higashi Shiokoji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Kyoto Century Hotel
Stay SAKURA  Kyoto Fuga
Stay SAKURA Kyoto Fuga
3 out of 5
56, Higashikujo Yanaginoshitacho, Minami-Ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay SAKURA Kyoto Fuga
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.