Documenting Lovely Moments
The Fascinating Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto
Fushimi Inari Taisha, is the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan and is famous for the thousands of bright-red torii gates. It was definitely one of the most fascinating and distinguished places we visited in Kyoto.
Arriving at Fushimi Inari Taisha
Leaving from Kyoto Station, we used our JR Pass to take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station, and from the station, it was only a short walk to get to the shrine.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is a very popular tourist spot in Kyoto. We decided to arrive very early in the morning, so that the path would not be too crowded. We got there just before sunrise and the place was still a little dark, but it was nice and quiet.
Walking through thousands of sacred gates
Because there were barely anyone there, walking through the tunnel of brilliant red torii gates felt so peaceful and otherworldly. We learned that torii gates symbolizes a gateway to enter the spiritual world. Furthermore, torii gates are usually painted in bright red color for protection against evil spirits.
Inari’s Foxes
Throughout our walk, we came across so many fox statues. Fushimi Inari Taisha is a Shinto shrine dedicated to honor Inari, the god of rice. Foxes (or kitsune), which symbolize both benevolence and malevolence, are believed to be Inari’s messengers, and stone fox statues are displayed to serve as the shrine’s guardians. In addition, the foxes usually hold a symbolic item in their mouths, such as a jewel or a key to a rice granary.
Back at The Entrance
We could have continued hiking up Mount Inari, but we had a limited time in Kyoto, so we decided to walk back. Although our visit was short, we were glad to have decided to make a stop here.
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We are a family of four with an active lifestyle. We love creating memories through travel, learning about different cultures around the world, and spending quality time together.
