Fushimi Inari Shrine (Fushimi Inari Taisha)

While it’s easy to explore the shrine on a self-guided walking tour, a tour guide can help you learn more about the historic temples, the Senbon torii, and the shrine’s many fox statues. A full-day Kyoto tour typically includes a stop at Fushimi Inari, along with other highlights like the Kinkaku-Ji temple (Golden Temple), Kiyomizu Temple, Gekkeikan Sake Brewery, and the Gion Tanto geisha district. It’s also possible to visit Kyoto and its shrines on a day trip from Osaka or Nara, or as part of a multi-day Japan itinerary from Tokyo.

• If you plan on hiking to the mountaintop, wear comfortable shoes and bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.

• The shrine is free, but carry cash if you want to leave a donation, make a wish, or have your fortune told.

• Some parts of the shrine are wheelchair accessible, but the climb to the mountaintop is via several flights of steps.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is located in south-eastern Kyoto, around 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) south of Kyoto Station. The closest subway station, just a few minutes’ walk, is Fushimi Inari Station on the JR Nara Line.

Fushimi Inari is hugely popular and can get very crowded, especially on weekends and during holidays. To avoid the crowds, visit on a weekday in the late evening or an early morning.

The dramatic red walkway of Senbon torii, which leads to the 764-foot (233-meter) peak of Mt. Inari-san, is one of Kyoto’s most impressive walks. Although the total distance is only 3 miles (5 kilometers), the path is mostly uphill and has lots of steps, so leave yourself plenty of time—around two or three hours is enough for the round trip. It’s a scenic route, dotted with shrines, prayer stacks, and other monuments, but the biggest reward is the view from the top, which looks out over southern Kyoto.

Fushimi Inari Shrine is famous for being one of Kyoto’s most recognizable Shinto shrines—mainly because it consists of more than 10,000 orange torii gates forming a tunnel visitors can walk through. It is also a prime photo opportunity and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To get to the Fushimi Inari Shrine from Kyoto Station, take the JR Nara Line towards Nara and then get off at JR Inari Station. This trip takes around five minutes. From JR Inari Station, it’s a short walk to the shrine's entrance.

The thousands of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine mark the path to a sacred space. Donated by companies and organizations all over Japan, they symbolize gratitude and wishes for prosperity. Dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, the shrine also features fox statues—considered messengers—scattered throughout the grounds.

No, there aren’t any admission fees to enter Fushimi Inari Shrine. It’s free to enter the shrine’s grounds, making it a popular attraction for locals and tourists. Once inside, it’s possible to walk through the gates, or explore the nearby forest area and scenic views.

The best time to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine to avoid crowds is to come in the early morning—especially on weekdays. The crowds tend to be at their peak on weekend afternoons. You'll have a more peaceful experience by coming at off-peak times. Alternatively, evenings can be a quieter time, too.

After exploring Fushimi Inari Shrine, you can get to Tofukuji Temple, one of Kyoto’s largest temples, in around 10 minutes on foot or two minutes by train. For some retail therapy, Fushimi Inari Sando Shopping Street is close by, as is Kizakura Brewery, which makes sake (rice wine).