The torii at Fushimi-Inari-taisha
Fushimi Inari Shrine
(伏見稲荷大社 Fushimi-Inari-taisha). Another of Kyoto's often-overlooked
jewels, about twenty-minutes to the south of Kyoto. Dedicated to
Inari, the Shinto god of cereals, Fushimi-Inari-taisha is the head
shrine (taisha) for 40,000 Inari shrines across Japan. Stretching
230 meters up the hill behind it are hundreds of bright red torii
(gates). A visitor could easily spend several hours walking up the
hillside, taking in the beautiful views of the city of Kyoto and
walking through the torii, which appear luminescent in the late
afternoon sun. Countless stone foxes, also referred to as Inari, are
also dotted along the path.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Approaching the shrine, local delicacies are sold
at the roadside, including barbecued sparrow and inari-sushi
(sweetened sushi rice wrapped in fried tofu), which is said to be
the favourite food of the fox.
Admission is free. Be warned, the shrine is located close to Fushimi
Inari and Inari stations, but is nowhere near Fushimi station! The
easiest way to get here is to take the JR Nara line from
Kyoto Station to Inari station, which exits immediately opposite the
entrance to the shrine.
