Fushimi Inari Shrine

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of roughly 30,000 Inari shrines nationwide. The most famous sight is the “Senbon Torii,” a corridor of vermilion votive torii gates—said to number nearly 10,000—that draws worshippers from Japan and abroad. Its location is also very convenient: from Kyoto Station it’s about 10 minutes on the JR Nara Line, and Inari Station is right by the approach to the shrine. The enshrined deity is Inari Ōkami, associated with business prosperity and abundant harvests. Fox statues, regarded as the deity’s messengers, can be found throughout the grounds, and the shrine office sells fox-shaped ema (wooden plaques) and omamori (charms). The entire Inari-yama behind the shrine is considered sacred, with many points of interest for those with time to hike. For example, at the Okusha (Inner Shrine) worship hall there is the “Omokaru-ishi,” where you lift a stone while making a wish—if it feels lighter than expected, the wish is said to come true. When you need a break, consider the rest area “Teichōan” by Shimagake Pond; its Japanese tea café serves items such as the torii-themed “Inari parfait.” Around the shrine, you can also find gate-town specialties like grilled sparrow and inari-zushi.