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Just below the stone walls on the east side of Kumamoto Castle stands a striking shrine with beautiful red and white halls.
The grounds feature rows of vermilion torii gates, adorable lace-knitted omamori charms, and limited-edition goshuin. This shrine is packed with highlights and makes a perfect stop during your Kumamoto Castle visit.
This article covers everything from the shrine’s highlights to its popular goshuin, omamori, and spiritual blessings.
Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine is located in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. In 1588, when feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa entered the region as the ruler of Higo Province, he enshrined a deity from Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto here. The main deity is Uka-no-Mitama-no-Kami (the Inari deity), and the shrine has been affectionately known as “Shirahige-san” for over 430 years.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Visiting Hours | Open anytime |
| Prayer Reception | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Goshuin Reception | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
| Closed | None |
| Phone | 096-355-3521 |
| Parking | 50 spaces (free) |
| Address | 3 - 13 Honmaru, Chuo - ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto 860 - 0002 |
| Official Website | http://k-inari.com/ |
Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine was established in 1588 when Lord Kato Kiyomasa brought a divided spirit from Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto upon entering Higo Province. This means that part of the divine spirit of Fushimi Inari Taisha was enshrined here at Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine.
The main hall features a three-bay nagare-zukuri style with an irimoya roof, constructed entirely of zelkova wood.
Inside the main hall, the enshrined deity Shirahige Daimyojin is worshipped.
In front of the main hall stands a vermilion torii gate. The torii serves as a boundary separating the sacred space from the secular world.
The kagura hall features an irimoya roof and is built entirely of zelkova wood. Inside, there is a stage for performing sacred kagura dances and music.
Kagura refers to ritual dances and music performed to honor the gods.
Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine suffered significant damage during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, with the main torii gate, shrine office, and subsidiary shrines within the grounds severely affected. Reconstruction work has since progressed, and the shrine office has been completely rebuilt.
At Inari shrines, there is a tradition of donating torii gates as thanks when wishes are fulfilled. At Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine, these donated vermilion torii gates line up to create a mystical atmosphere with continuous beautiful vermilion scenery.
Lord Kiyomasa brought two divine messenger foxes (spirit foxes) and enshrined them as guardian deities at his residential Kumamoto Castle. It is said that Lord Kiyomasa had great faith in foxes. He believed the foxes would protect him, and thus he enshrined the two foxes as guardians of Kumamoto Castle. These two foxes are enshrined within the grounds of Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine and continue to be beloved by many visitors today.
In Japan, foxes have long been worshipped as “divine messengers of Inari” (servants of the gods).
Leading these two foxes is the shrine’s main deity, Shirahige Daimyojin, the guardian god of daily life.
Shirahige Daimyojin is another name for the Inari deity. As the name suggests, the god is depicted with a white beard. The white beard symbolizes longevity and wisdom. The Inari deity is worshipped for blessings such as abundant harvests, business prosperity, and academic success, while foxes, as the deity’s messengers, are said to bring good fortune to people.
At Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine, in addition to the classic Inari shrine blessings of business prosperity, household safety, and abundant harvests, visitors can also receive blessings for matchmaking and academic success.
The grounds feature popular unique fortune slips such as “Kaiun Water Mikuji” and “Love Fulfillment Mikuji.” By dropping your wish into the “Wish-Making Post” for love fulfillment, your name will be recited during prayers.
Omamori charms include the Kinrin-o Ryujin charm (for wealth and warding off evil), the Victory charm named after Kato Kiyomasa (for career success and exams), and the White Fox fortune-bringing charm, among many varieties. Particularly notable are the “Shinshi-mamori” and “Inari-mamori,” which are omamori made of crocheted lace, featuring adorable and highly designed styles. There are also charms for love fulfillment, matchmaking, women-only charms, pet charms, and even charms with Hangul characters, offering truly remarkable variety.
Recommended are the “Shinshi-mamori” and “Inari-mamori.” The lace-crocheted foxes and charms are incredibly cute.
Goshuin options include direct-written goshuin as well as limited-edition “paper-cut goshuin” and “collaboration goshuin” with other shrines (where visiting both shrines completes one goshuin). The shrine is known for its creative and unique goshuin offerings.
Charms, Omamori & Goshuin - Kumamoto Castle Inari ShrineKumamoto Castle Inari Shrine was established when Lord Kato Kiyomasa brought a deity from Kyoto upon entering Higo Province. With over 430 years of history, it continues to be beloved as “Shirahige-san” today.
The shrine’s biggest festival is the “Hatsu-uma Festival,” held on the first Day of the Horse in February each year. On this day, the shrine bustles with many worshippers praying for abundant harvests, household safety, and business prosperity.
Kumamoto Castle Inari Shrine is a representative tourist destination of Kumamoto alongside Kumamoto Castle. When you visit Kumamoto Castle, be sure to stop by this wonderful shrine.
