Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Shrine (伏見稲荷大社, Fushimi Inari Taisha) is an important Shinto shrine in southern Kyoto. It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, these stretch of along the trails behind the 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.

Ladies take a picture of the torii gates

Since early Japan, Inari was seen as the patron of business, and merchants and manufacturers have traditionally worshipped Inari. Each of the torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha is donated by a Japanese business. First and foremost, though, Inari is the god of rice.

Main entrance

Foxes

Fox with key in its mouth

Foxes (kitsune) are thought to be Inari’s messengers, resulting in many fox statues across the shrine grounds. One attribute the foxes have is a key (for the rice granary) in their mouths.