We visited Fushimi Inari Taisha early evening and we stayed for the sun set, adding a mystical element to our visit.
At the base of Mount Inari in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a visually striking Shinto shrine with thousands of vermilion torii gates donated by individuals and businesses seeking blessings for wealth and success. The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, agriculture, and prosperity and dates back to 711 AD.
We didn’t have time to walk the entire 2 hour path up the mountain, although it’s open 24/7 (Kayoko said there are bears) but we did journey through a tunnel of hundreds of the vibrant orange torii gates, each inscribed with the name of the donor and the date of the donation. Next time we will explore more of the trails through the forest.
The complex is expansive and we encountered various smaller shrines, stone fox statues (messengers of Inari), and breathtaking views of Kyoto as the sun went down, a finger nail moon came out, and soft golden light illuminated the torii gates and surrounding trees.
There is a deep cultural significance to Fushimi Inari Taisha and we were able to observe the rituals performed by worshippers, such as ringing the shrine bell or making a wish at the main altar (toss a coin in the box, bow 2 times, clap 2 times, pray, and bow). FYI photography is not allowed at the main alter in any of the shrines.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is visually and spiritually unforgettable. I may have walked around for an hour with my jaw dropped in wonder.
Also, make sure to check out the food vendors outside of the shrine—I had a fresh strawberry wrapped in chocolate mochi with a chocolate cream inside the mochi! 🍓🍫
Christina’s Journey Journal 