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Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s top tourist destinations, attracting about 10 million visitors annually from both Japan and abroad.
This shrine is actually extremely vast. The entire Mount Inari is considered sacred ground, and it takes about an hour one-way to reach the summit, Ichinomune, from the main shrine.
While Fushimi Inari has many areas and attractions to explore, visiting all these places requires considerable physical energy.
On the other hand, many people visit Fushimi Inari primarily to see the “Thousand Torii Gates,” which are undoubtedly the highlight of Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Since the Thousand Torii Gates don’t require venturing deep into Mount Inari, they can be enjoyed within the scope of typical “tourism.”
In this article, I’ll introduce a minimalist sightseeing route from the entrance of Fushimi Inari Taisha to the Thousand Torii Gates that can be enjoyed even without much physical stamina.
If you want to know about all the attractions at Fushimi Inari Taisha, a complete map, and how vast it is, please check out the following:
Read more about Attractions at Fushimi Inari Taisha
The nearest station is JR Nara Line’s Inari Station. It takes only 5 seconds on foot from the station to Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Right in front of the station is the entrance to Fushimi Inari Taisha.
The fox statues and the golden rice stalks they hold in their mouths are characteristic features of Inari shrines.
For more details, please see the following:
Read more about Inari Shrines
The grand torii gate of Fushimi Inari Taisha. This is our starting point. A vibrant vermilion large torii gate welcomes us.
After passing through the grand torii and continuing further, you’ll find the second torii.
Inari shrines are known for this vibrant vermilion color, which has a significance in warding off evil spirits, hence its adoption.
The Romon gate was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is one of the largest shrine gates of its kind.
By the way, “Romon” refers to a “two-story gate with a roof.” (In a narrow sense, it refers to a gate where the second floor has a roof but the first floor doesn’t have one)
This Romon gate is considered the “main gate of Fushimi Inari Taisha.”
The intricate framework under the roof and the combination of vermilion and gold colors are truly beautiful. This methodically constructed detailed framework is highlighted by the vermilion and gold.
The foxes standing in front of the Romon gate also look dignified.
And at the base on both sides of the Romon gate, guardian deities stand watch.
Zuijin are the guardians of the deities, essentially the bodyguards of the gods.
For example, you often see Nio statues with fierce faces on both sides of gates; their role is similar.
Next to the Romon gate is a purification fountain (Temizuya). Let’s purify ourselves here before heading to the main shrine.
For how to use the Temizuya, please refer to the Inari Shrine explanatory guide.
After passing through the Romon gate, there is the Outer Worship Hall (Gehaiden).
The Outer Worship Hall is a place for ceremonial rituals.
Twelve iron lanterns are hung, representing the twelve signs of the zodiac = 12 constellations.
Looking closely, each has the relevant sign carved into the lantern; for example, Aries has a ram. It’s fun to find your own zodiac sign.
This is the lantern for “Aquarius.”
By circling around this Outer Worship Hall, you’ll reach the Inner Worship Hall and the Main Shrine.
Behind the Inner Worship Hall is the Main Shrine. We worshippers make our offerings and greetings to the deities from this Inner Worship Hall.
The Main Shrine is connected to the Inner Worship Hall and is located behind it.
Now, passing through the Myojin torii located on the west side of the Main Shrine, we head towards the Thousand Torii Gates. It takes about 5 minutes to reach the Thousand Torii Gates from the Main Shrine.
Along the way, we pass the upper subsidiary shrines “Choja Shrine (left), Hata Shrine (center), and Gosha Shoden (right)”, all of which are important cultural properties.
The upper subsidiary shrines are also very colorful and beautiful. As we reach this area, there’s more greenery, creating a lovely contrast with the vermilion color.
Climbing up the stairs, we pass through another torii.
The path continues with stairs, but it’s not too strenuous, and the pleasant surroundings make it easy to keep going.
We’ve arrived at the entrance to the Thousand Torii Gates.
The torii gates that line the Thousand Torii path vary in size from enormous ones to those about the height of a person, but especially near the entrance, huge torii gates are lined up, creating an overwhelming impression from the start.
The Thousand Torii Gates path splits into two halfway through; the outbound route is on the right, the return route on the left. In other words, it’s a keep-right system.
The Thousand Torii Gates are truly magical. Combined with the surrounding atmosphere, it feels like the end of this tunnel might lead to some different world.
Is the other side of these torii gates really the same reality we know?
After passing through the Thousand Torii Gates, we reach the Okushahōhaijo (Inner Shrine Worship Area). There are also restrooms here for a break.
From here onwards is the “Mountain Pilgrimage Route,” which leads to the summit. As mentioned at the beginning, this is a route that requires physical stamina.
If you want to know what the Mountain Pilgrimage Route is like, it’s introduced in the following article.
Read more about Mountain Pilgrimage Route
Well, this is the end of our minimalist sightseeing route. Now we head back the same way we came.
The interior of JR Inari Station has columns that are uniformly vermilion, just like Fushimi Inari Taisha, which is also a charming feature. If you’re going to Fushimi Inari Taisha, be sure to check out this unique station interior as well.
I’ve introduced a minimalist sightseeing route from the entrance of Fushimi Inari Taisha to the Thousand Torii Gates and back.
The highlight of Fushimi Inari Taisha is indeed the Thousand Torii Gates. Walking through them really gives you a sense that they might connect to another world, creating a mystical atmosphere. This is what it means to experience the mystical.
By the way, the Thousand Torii Gates continue beyond the Okushahōhaijo, and although their density varies, they extend all the way to the summit of Mount Inari. Climbing is strenuous, but in the mountains, the contrast between the deep green forest and the vermilion torii is spectacular, so it’s recommended for those confident in their physical fitness.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is extremely vast. I hope this article helps you grasp the key points and enjoy everything you want to see and feel without missing anything.
If you want to know about all the attractions at Fushimi Inari Taisha, please also check out the next article.
Read more about Complete overview of Fushimi Inari Taisha attractions
