Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honor Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Southern Kyoto
Southern Kyoto has a reserved air. Though the Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Kyoto's major tourist attractions, the surrounding nature, parks, gardens, temples, and shrines provide less-visited spaces for strolling and reflection. The Fushimi Inari Shrine itself is made up of 32,000 sub-shrines, and the mountain they are dotted across beckons hikers, picnickers, and lovers of the outdoors. Many of the mountain's off-set paths aren't frequented by tourists, and the mountain's serenity can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Southern Kyoto is the place to enjoy being outside, and to pay your respects to the ancient architecture and gods of the land that are celebrated here.
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See what travellers are saying
  • Wood77
    Los Angeles, California3,505 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Iconic Kyoto Landmark
    Fushimi Inari Shrine is perhaps the most recognized icon of Kyoto. It is said that Irogu no Hatanokimi shot a rice cake, which turned into a swan and flew away. Eventually the swan landed on a peak of a mountain, where an auspicious omen occurred and rice grew. Inari is the Japanese word for rice. There are more than 10,000 closely-spaced vermilion torii gates that wind over the hills of Mount Inari beyond the entrance to the shrine. To hike through all the gates up the mountain would take 2-3 hours. Each of the famous torii shrine gates has been donated by an individual or a Japanese business in the hope of receiving good luck and fortune. Even our early February visit, there were thousands of tourists taking selfies.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 19 February 2024
  • Victor H
    Shanghai, China430 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A place of Kyoto heritage
    Very picturesque sanctuary with its thousands of orange-vermilion torii. It extends over a hill where you can stroll as you wish. Excellent for taking beautiful photographs if there are not too many visitors. Easy to access access close to JR and Kintetsu stations. You can also visit this sanctuary after dark. It is also one of the favorite places of Kyotoites for prayers and meditation and outings with their loved ones.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 19 February 2024
  • けいともじふ
    Nagoya, Japan5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Magnificent View of Closely Spaced Vermillion Torii-gates
    Famous of thousands of closely spaced vermillion torii-gates. The view is magnificent. It is also one of the large Inari shrines in Japan. Not only it gives us a great walk inside the shrine, the streets around it serves us with delicious Japanese takeout food. You can eat "Uzura"(Japanese quail), which is very rare.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 February 2024
  • Hallo734
    Ciampino, Italy3,779 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Handsome
    Fushimi Inari-taisha is not just a shrine in Kyoto, Japan, but a truly iconic landmark and a fascinating experience. Here is my review, considering different aspects: Visual appeal: Thousands of Orange Torii: The thousands of vermillion torii winding up the mountain are the real star of the show. Walking under it creates an evocative tunnel, perfect for breathtaking photographic shots. Serene shrine and fox statues: Lovingly decorated shrines and charming fox statues are found along the route, adding to the spiritual and cultural importance of the place. Nature's Embrace: The lush greenery and serene atmosphere offer a pleasant escape from the chaos of the city. Experiences: Spiritual Journey: The climb offers an opportunity for reflection and spiritual connection, especially for those interested in Shinto beliefs. Moderate Challenge: The climb is not overly strenuous, but has steps, so consider your fitness level. Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in Japanese culture by observing traditional practices and interacting with locals. To keep in mind: Crowds: Be prepared for crowds, especially in high season. Consider early mornings or weekdays for a quieter experience. Accessibility: The climb involves steps and uneven surfaces, which may not be suitable for everyone. Respectful behavior: Remember that this is a sacred place, so dress modestly and be aware of noise and behavior. Overall impressions: Fushimi Inari-taisha is a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you're looking for spiritual connection, cultural immersion, or simply breathtaking visuals, it's a must-see for any traveler to Kyoto. But be prepared for crowds and plan your visit accordingly.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 23 February 2024
  • M_J0hn_M
    Kochi (Cochin), India2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Cool royal relic
    Like entering the era of the old Japanese kingdom. It is truly a Japanese ethnic environment that is still well preserved. There are lots of cool photo spots here, this place is one of the favorite tourist attractions for tourists.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 February 2024
  • LongIslandGlobal
    New York City, New York159 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not to be missed
    Very special place, one of the highlights of my family's trip to Japan. Makes good pictures, too. There are a few options with regard of how much of the trail you are willing to cover. It's a longer way to the top of the mountain.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 28 February 2024
  • Daniel W
    36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Hike to the top!
    A shrine with a ethereal feel, it is a privilege to be able to enter the place. It is well worth the hike to the top, as there are swarms of other tourists at the base which ruins the ambience, but these drop away fairly promptly once you start to climb. Lots of refreshment stops & nice views. There is some wildlife that can be spotted, but not approached. Budget 2 hours to the top and back.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 February 2024
  • David B
    York, United Kingdom114 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A spiritual experience
    We visited twice during our trip to Kyoto. The first time we went in the evening. Lots of reviews talk about the magic of visiting at night, but honestly it’s underwhelming, you can’t appreciate the beautiful forest backdrop and the colour contrast between the orange and the green. The lighting is also minimal. The second visit was early morning, I think around 5-5.30am. It was magical. Really a special experience. It was quiet and calm and you could appreciate the noises of the forest as well as the rising sun. It’s a longer walk than you think, but still very manageable.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 March 2024
  • RoyalSilk
    Edgware, United Kingdom461 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Definitely worth doing, but be aware there will be lots and lots of tourists!
    Definitely worth going to this but be aware it's a long climb to the top and you will encounter many tourists. We went in early March and they were all out (of course we were one of them!). The climb and back via the thousand torii is very memorable although we were a bit surprised to see they were sponsored by business (although Coca Cola and McDonalds weren't represented). We went from Osaka via the Keihan Electric Railway to Inari station which is much cheaper than going on the Shinkansen and perfectly acceptable.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 5 March 2024
  • TamisCanada
    Victoria, Canada195 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful spiritual transition to the views at the top.
    I hiked to the top of the mountain for the early morning views. Despite the hundreds of tourists at the bottom, it’s definitely worth the climb as they continue to thin as you go up. The history was interesting to learn about so be sure to read up before you go as it makes the journey more meaningful. The people do thin out the farther up you go, and there are very few people that actually journey to the top or did when I was there. By the time I came down the number of people at the bottom had at least doubled by noon. The view of the city from the top is worth the climb if not interested in the spiritual path.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 10 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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karenpammy2016
San Francisco, CA1,310 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
It was very convenient to take public transportation directly from the Kyoto Station and when you get off, it is only around a 5-7 minute walk to the entrance of Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. Just follow the crowd and you will not get lost!

Unfortunately the day we went, it was raining but that did not stop us to venture in for the walk through the area for over 3 1/2 hours duration. We are grateful that the shrine was open for the public to walk through despite the inclement weather. It was worth the three hour round-trip walk up through the thousands of vermillion torii gates here. Make sure you utilize the facilities at the entrance before embarking on the walk up the trail as there are not restrooms available along the way.

The numerous bright vermillion torii gates were a sight to see and it just kept going after one section to another. It is best to arrive early or much later in the day as the crowd really builds after 9a.m. despite the rain. The tour groups come and crowds don't stop to arrive all day long as this is a popular visitor stop.

The kitsune (fox) is dedicated here as a messenger who is connected to provide a good harvest with the Inari "Harvest God." Many fox statues of different sizes and expressions are lined up at the various torii gate entrances. May have red bibs on that are given by individual contributors. The legend behind the red bibs is that they are supposed to protect unnecessary harm to individuals.

The hike up to Mt Inari is not that difficult to achieve as the steps offer an easier way up but if you need to hike up in the rain as we had to , it may slow you down. Just allow the time and pace yourself. Regardless of the rain, it was worth the trip and hike up to Mt. Inari as the crowd does thin out after a certain point along the trail up.
Written 24 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

D K
10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023
This incredibly beautiful shrine is easy to visit and is a short walk from the train station. I highly recommend visiting either first thing in the morning or later in the evening, perhaps after dinner. We arrived at the shrine at approximately 6:15 am and while there were already people there, it wasnt crowded and enabled us to have an enjoyable visit/take a number of unobstructed photos. When we departed the shrine, approximately 90 minutes later, significantly more people were arriving from the train station. If you have time, I would highly recommend visiting this breathtaking shrine but try to do so before it becomes overly crowded.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laurent G
Tours, France113 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We went there at 4 p.m. on Wednesday September 27, 2 days before the start of the golden week holidays in China and there were not a lot of people as I feared based on the reviews. Afterwards it was sure that when we came back down it was already dark but as there is lighting it's not too bothersome. The summit itself is not of much interest, there we find one of these numerous temples built in a sort of cement block and mini Torii gates left by believers. So when you find yourself at a crossroads on the left there is a path which goes up to a small temple with the highest view point over the city behind it or on the right the direction towards the summit. There is also one opposite towards the summit but a priori longer because it is a loop but it is difficult to be sure because the indications are not very clear. Otherwise, remember to take 100 yen coins and 7 ¥1000 notes because there are vending machines for drinks but they do not take large denominations. The shops at the start of the park close at nightfall (everything was closed a little before 7 p.m.).
Google
Written 27 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

旅とコーヒー好き
Yokohama, Japan128 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
When you think of Fushimi Inari Taisha, you think of this vermilion-painted torii gate.
It gets very crowded with tourists, so if you want to take photos without people around, I recommend going first thing in the morning.
However, I also recommend visiting not just to take photos,
but to experience the silence and prayer that are inherent to a shrine.
Google
Written 18 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vanessa V
113 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Family
Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds, take your time to explore and understand the meaning of the shrine. Highly recommend that you go to the top, it's less crowded and more peaceful. Easy to arrive, walking distance from Inari station.
Written 30 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

amooafshin
Dubai, United Arab Emirates159 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
One of the most famous places in Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Taisha Temple. This temple is located at the foot of Mount Inari. Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of red torri gates, a network of walkways behind its main buildings. The paths lead to the sacred Inari mountain, which is 233 meters high and belongs to the shrine area. Visiting this temple is free and it takes at least two hours to visit. Of course, add the time to visit the park next to the temple. Fushimi Inari is the most important of the several thousand shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. Foxes are believed to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues throughout the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Temple has ancient origins and was built before the transfer of the capital to Kyoto in 794. While the main reason most foreign visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine is to explore the mountain trails, the shrine buildings themselves are also fascinating. At the entrance to the shrine is the Romon Gate, which was donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1589. Behind the main hall is the shrine (honden) where all visitors are encouraged to pay their respects by offering a small gift. Behind the main shrine grounds is the entrance to a torii-covered walkway that begins with two densely parallel rows of gates called Senbon Torii ("thousands of torii gates"). The lace gates along the entire route are donated by individuals and companies, and you will see the name of the donor and the date of donation behind each gate. The grant amount starts at around ¥400,000 for a smaller gate and rises to over ¥1 million for a large gate. It is said that there are 1001 gates here. To photograph these gates, it is better to take a picture of their exit because the writings and the name of the donor are written on the back of the gate.
Written 15 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Agnes
8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
We climbed to the top of Inari Peak at 5 p.m. Arrival around 6 p.m. There are drink vending machines all along the way up. The time is ideal because it is cooler than during the day (36 degrees that day) and we enjoy the sunset over the city on the way down.
Google
Written 20 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pyt_go_girl
Canadian Rockies, Canada166 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Just visited mid October and it's true what everyone warns about it being extremely crowded. The only way to get the moneyshot with no one else around is to scale the mountain to the very top and that's what we did and even then, it wasn't totally empty and we still had to wait for other hikers to pass by before taking a shot. We're glad we did since we were able to take many pictures. Weather was just perfect. sunny and warm but not too hot.
Going up took 1.5 hours and coming down under an hour but if you have the time it's totally worth it. We reached the Main Shrine area about 4:15 and we were surprised to see that it was even more crowded than when we arrived at 12 noon. we noticed that there were way more tour groups.
So if you plan to visit, have the time and energy, go up to the top. It's really worth it!
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ccsfamily
Geneva, IL353 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Couples
We were in Kyoto for three days and one day we spent walking almost to the top of the gates. It is very, very crowded and you are walking on uneven surfaces up the steps. We stopped right before the final loop area and had a fantastic view of Kyoto. Definitely need to take water with you and I would recommend taking a snack with you. Yes, there are places along the walk to get water and snacks; however, the choices are limited. You can get some nice photos if you briefly step off the main path for the photo. The movement of the crowd through the gates comes to a complete stop a lot because people hold up the crowd to take their perfect photo without people in it.

You must have a lot of patience and be in decent shape if you plan to walk up to the top or near the top.

We took a bicycle tour the next day and it included a stop here. We were glad we spent most of the previous day here because it was definitely worth seeing and experiencing walking through all the gates. You should plan on spending 2-3 hours due to crowds. On the bicycle tour, we only walked up a little way, took photo ops and then left. Maybe there for 30 minutes which is not enough time. However, our bicycle tour guide gave us some wonderful background information about it which we did not get walking through the gates on our own.
Written 28 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Angel C
Terrassa, Spain10,246 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
Shrine on the side of a mountain dedicated to the Goddess Inari, protector of crops and business. Every businessman who wants to ask the goddess for prosperity pays for a torii, a door to a sacred compound. There are about 10,000 in vermilion, one of the pictures of Japan. Very patient to get a photo without crowds of tourists.
Automatically translated
Written 2 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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