Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in
southern Kyoto,
Japan.
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the
sacred Mount Inari, which stands at 233 meters and belongs to the shrine grounds.Fushimi
Inari is the most important of several thousands of shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto
god of rice. Foxes are thought to be Inari's messengers, resulting in many fox statues across
the shrine grounds. Fushimi Inari Shrine has ancient origins, predating the capital's move
to Kyoto in 794.
How to reach Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Shrine is located just outside JR Inari Station, the second station from Kyoto
Station along the JR Nara Line (5 minutes, 150 yen one way from Kyoto Station, not served
by rapid trains). The shrine can also be reached in a short walk from Fushimi Inari Station
along the Keihan Main Line.