A thousand vermilion gates, like a crimson river, flow up Mount Inari. Welcome to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of the kami Inari, the Shinto god of rice and business success. This shrine, perched at the foot of the mountain, is a place where history, culture, and nature intertwine. Founded in 711, this shrine is older than Kyoto itself. It was originally located on Inariyama hill before being relocated to its current location by the Hata family in 816. Fushimi Inari boasts a rich history.
The shrine is renowned for its Senbon Torii, thousands of red torii gates donated by individuals and businesses seeking prosperity. Walking through the gates on the network of trails that snake up the mountain can be a meditative experience. It has even been featured in “Memoirs of a Geisha.” Look closely at the gates and you will see the name and year each torii was donated engraved on the back.
But Fushimi Inari is more than just its iconic torii gates. The main shrine complex at the base of Mount Inari houses beautifully preserved examples of traditional Shinto architecture. Look at Romon Gate, a two-story structure built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1589. Legend states that Hideyoshi donated funds to build it after his prayers to Inari healed his ailing mother.
And as you walk, you will be greeted by numerous foxes, or kitsune, who are considered messengers of Inari. Some of the foxes hold keys in their mouths, symbolizing their role as protectors of rice granaries.
Fushimi Inari Taisha may be known for its lively torii gates that wind up the mountain, but a quiet peace suffuses the experience. With each step higher up, you’re not just walking through a shrine, but through a place of deep Japanese history.