Fushimi Inari-taisha

Japan · shrine · hiking

Gateway to the Mountain. Fushimi Inari-taisha sits at the base of Mount Inari in Kyoto, Japan, and marks the beginning of an incredible hiking adventure. Visitors can walk trails that stretch for 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) and climb smaller shrines all the way up the 233-meter-tall mountain.

Thousands of Red Gates. The shrine is famous for its stunning arrangement of thousands of bright red and orange gates called torii, which line the pathways and create a magical tunnel effect. These gates were donated by visitors over hundreds of years to honor Inari, the kami (spirit or god) that the shrine celebrates.

A Two-Hour Adventure. Walking all the way up the mountain to explore the many smaller shrines takes about 2 hours of hiking. The path winds through forests and past countless red gates, making it feel like you are stepping into another world.

Head Shrine for All Japan. Fushimi Inari-taisha is the main, most important shrine dedicated to Inari out of thousands of Inari shrines across Japan. Inari is associated with rice harvests, prosperity, and good fortune in Japanese culture.