Fushimi Inari Taisha

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s most iconic and breathtaking shrines, famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that create mesmerizing pathways up the sacred Mount Inari. The hike through the gates is a unique experience, offering stunning views of the city and the surrounding nature. Each gate is donated by individuals or businesses, creating a sense of connection to the local community and culture. The atmosphere is both serene and spiritual, making it a perfect place for reflection. While it can get crowded, especially at the base, venturing further up the mountain allows for a more peaceful experience. Be sure to take your time exploring the smaller shrines and offerings along the way. Overall, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and spirituality of Kyoto.

Go early. I’m talking like 5-7am. There will be no one there and plenty of light to take photos with. The hike is long and has a lot of stairs but worth it to see the 1000 tori gates. I would recommend when you get the top part where there is a great view of Kyoto I would stop and turn around. The very top is miss leading. There is no view just more shrine and tori gates. Very cool if you know the culture but if you are going for the views and photos stop at the lookout point.

most of the major religious sites in the country, they're really busy. But Fushimi Inari was super crowded. Right from the station to the entrance, it's packed with people, stores, and restaurants. Suggest you go as early as possible to get a more peaceful experience. But if that's not possible, try to make it to the top of the hill where the main shrine is. As you go higher there are fewer people. Take lots of water. There are stores along the way in case you need other refreshments. It's a wonderful experience though and the views are wonderful at the top.

It’s my first place to visit in Japan. Arrived quite late and not having much time to fully explore the place. But I like the environment and surroundings. Everything is so beautiful and peaceful. It’s very surprising where within the tourist place it’s so crowded, but the surroundings is so peaceful and quiet. I can see it from the photo before there, but the feeling is very different when you’re there in person.

What a fantastic experience even with the large crowds of people and people posing every 15 steps. Remember to bring water with you when you're here on a hot summer day like I was! They sell drinks and souvenirs around the area, but would definitely recommend bringing your own. This is a free place to access and it's probably best to go early in the morning as there are fewer people. But regardless, had a very memorable time walking around here and taking in all the views!

Do the walk to the top, it's a great experience. The views are good too. I found it amazing to see so many old and new shrines, the whole way to the mountain. The earlier the better, it's nice not having so many other tourists ahead or behind you so you can stop for photos without blocking people. I went on a morning after rain, I found the humidity that day worse than the rest of my trip. I would bring a hand towel and spare t-shirt in my day bag if I was to do it again, so I could wipe away sweat and change my tshirt before getting on the train... Sorry to those around me on that particular day.

I loved it, I would say it was massively crowded by 9am. So I would recommend either going later in the day or early early so you don’t get stuck in a big crowd. If you enjoy hikes I’d also just give yourself a half day and hike to the top, it gets much less crowded as you go higher since most people are just there for the quick photo op. PS: there’s a google pin the says “Inari Shrine” - DONT GO TO THAT ONE. Go to the one that has Inari Taisha

You obviously have to get up to this place as soon as possible to enjoy it without people. The bad news is that this idea gets hundreds of other tourists every day, so it's pretty crowded from 7am onwards. The good news is that you can still find places to enjoy the atmosphere and take nice photos. The best advice is to go up to the sanctuary, because not everyone wants to reach the top, or try to discover the side roads, away from the main tourist direction.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s most iconic and breathtaking shrines, famous for its thousands of vibrant red torii gates that create mesmerizing pathways up the sacred Mount Inari. The hike through the gates is a unique experience, offering stunning views of the city and the surrounding nature. Each gate is donated by individuals or businesses, creating a sense of connection to the local community and culture. The atmosphere is both serene and spiritual, making it a perfect place for reflection. While it can get crowded, especially at the base, venturing further up the mountain allows for a more peaceful experience. Be sure to take your time exploring the smaller shrines and offerings along the way. Overall, Fushimi Inari Taisha is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty and spirituality of Kyoto.

Go early. I’m talking like 5-7am. There will be no one there and plenty of light to take photos with. The hike is long and has a lot of stairs but worth it to see the 1000 tori gates. I would recommend when you get the top part where there is a great view of Kyoto I would stop and turn around. The very top is miss leading. There is no view just more shrine and tori gates. Very cool if you know the culture but if you are going for the views and photos stop at the lookout point.

most of the major religious sites in the country, they're really busy. But Fushimi Inari was super crowded. Right from the station to the entrance, it's packed with people, stores, and restaurants. Suggest you go as early as possible to get a more peaceful experience. But if that's not possible, try to make it to the top of the hill where the main shrine is. As you go higher there are fewer people. Take lots of water. There are stores along the way in case you need other refreshments. It's a wonderful experience though and the views are wonderful at the top.

It’s my first place to visit in Japan. Arrived quite late and not having much time to fully explore the place. But I like the environment and surroundings. Everything is so beautiful and peaceful. It’s very surprising where within the tourist place it’s so crowded, but the surroundings is so peaceful and quiet. I can see it from the photo before there, but the feeling is very different when you’re there in person.

What a fantastic experience even with the large crowds of people and people posing every 15 steps. Remember to bring water with you when you're here on a hot summer day like I was! They sell drinks and souvenirs around the area, but would definitely recommend bringing your own. This is a free place to access and it's probably best to go early in the morning as there are fewer people. But regardless, had a very memorable time walking around here and taking in all the views!

Do the walk to the top, it's a great experience. The views are good too. I found it amazing to see so many old and new shrines, the whole way to the mountain. The earlier the better, it's nice not having so many other tourists ahead or behind you so you can stop for photos without blocking people. I went on a morning after rain, I found the humidity that day worse than the rest of my trip. I would bring a hand towel and spare t-shirt in my day bag if I was to do it again, so I could wipe away sweat and change my tshirt before getting on the train... Sorry to those around me on that particular day.

I loved it, I would say it was massively crowded by 9am. So I would recommend either going later in the day or early early so you don’t get stuck in a big crowd. If you enjoy hikes I’d also just give yourself a half day and hike to the top, it gets much less crowded as you go higher since most people are just there for the quick photo op. PS: there’s a google pin the says “Inari Shrine” - DONT GO TO THAT ONE. Go to the one that has Inari Taisha

You obviously have to get up to this place as soon as possible to enjoy it without people. The bad news is that this idea gets hundreds of other tourists every day, so it's pretty crowded from 7am onwards. The good news is that you can still find places to enjoy the atmosphere and take nice photos. The best advice is to go up to the sanctuary, because not everyone wants to reach the top, or try to discover the side roads, away from the main tourist direction.

The Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of the most iconic places to visit in Kyoto. It is visually known for its' consecutive rows of gates. This shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. You will see fox imagery throughout the site, as they represent the messengers of the rice god. Coming from Kyoto Station, we took the Nara Line for 2 stops to Inari Station. From there it was a quick minute walk over to the shrine. Most of your walking will be within the shrine. My boyfriend was really smart to suggest coming at night, so it was less crowded and I was able to take my photos with less obstructions. Even at night it was pretty busy, but a tolerable amount of busy. The hike to the peak of the mountain may take 2-3 hours through the thousands of torii gates. Each of these gates are donated, and there is still room for more donations if you wish to have your name or company's name on one. The bigger the gate the bigger the donation. To be honest, I just went up far enough to avoid people and take a few photos. We also prayed at the main shrine and stopped by some of the buildings on the lower levels. I highly recommend a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine if you visit Kyoto. Of all the shrines, it stands out a lot more than the vast others throughout Japan.

Visited on a sunny and super hot day. We came during the afternoon and it was packed with tourists. We were walking shoulder to shoulder with everyone and it was very slow. We decided to walk back down to get refreshments, when we saw a sign to turn back. Very beautiful place, next time we will definitely come a lot earlier.

We grabbed our umbrella and took the subway down to Fushimi Inari on a Friday afternoon during a mild but steady rain shower. After seeing the infamous pictures showing mass amounts of people walking shoulder-to-shoulder we were unsure what to expect. However, the crowds in inclement weather were sparse and, like a surprising amount of other Kyoto experiences, we were gifted with amazing moments to ourselves and memories of a lifetime. The site itself is remarkable and seeing the gates in person is breathtaking. Pictures do not do it justice. We did not go to the summit but walked to the "Crossroads" area which offers a nice view - our visibility was limited but we could still see the Kyoto tower. On our descent we took the route that we did NOT use on the way up, which led us past many surreal shrines. Our entire experience took about 45 minutes. Some useful tidbits are that I did not see bathrooms on the route and that the footing can be slippery when wet requiring careful steps.

I know there are many temples but this is the most well-known Shinto shrine. Endless walking it seems. There was light rain, so watch your step. The torii gates are striking and picturesque. Definitely, worth taking many photos! Funny, there are tourist shops at the top.

A must visit while in Kyoto! One of the most known tourists spot. It is free entry which is always a plus. You do not have to walk/hike all the way to the top! It is optional :). My sisters and I only walk through one section of Inari lol We came during cherry blossoms season so there was a huge crowd here. Luckily, there were some spots where we could take photos with no one in the background. There are shops, restaurants and restroom.

Probably the most deserved highly visited site in Kyoto. The size and number of bright red torii gates was absolutely impressive, only outnumbered by the number of tourists that come and visit the shrine any day. Situated on a small hill/mountain, the views of the gates and of Kyoto from the temple are simple spectacular. You can definitely take more than enough good pictures at the base of the, but if you're up for it, definitely try and climb to the peak. There isn't too much to see at the top of the mountain, but there are very nice views along the way, and the crowd really thins out as you climb towards the top of the mountain, giving you plenty of more photo opportunities without a crowd in the background. Would definitely recommend to go early to both beat the crowd and to climb while it's not too hot. It took us around 40 minutes to get to the top without stopping too much; it's all stairs, so it wasn't too bad. Definitely worth the trip!

Definitely visit this shrine if in the area--it's a lot of fun (and walking). I could settle in for a few hours if I had the time. They have a lot of places to walk to and you can say a prayer here too. Try to walk all the way through all the gates is the challenge. If you get through all the gates on one visit: "Good Luck" the rest of your life. If you don't make it through all the gates...make sure you "like" my review ASAP.

You need to see this attraction. Yes, it's a little away from wherever you're probably staying. And there's not a whole lot else around here, but these gates are very cool and I doubt you'll see anything like it anywhere else. Bonus points if you go on the hike all the way to the top. It's not actually a peak, but rather you hike around the top. No view, just stairs, tori gates, and shrines. Still, it's not only a great accomplishment, but it's cool. Pro tip: Hike way up and then take photos. You'll avoid the mass of crowds. Go as far as you can, and it gets thinner of people. Guaranteed.

Before we get to the walk - here's a checklist for you: 1. Arrive as early as possible to avoid significant crowding, we came at 8am and it was already pretty busy but nothing like when we were walking down at 10:30am 2. It is not a hike for the faint - bring water, a hat, and sunscreen at the very least. It's about 45 min to the top (2.8 mi) 3. Be patient. You can get those isolated shots if you wait but also, don't be that person blocking everyone else to get that insta shot. It was really an experience to walk through the thousand tori gates. In the moments that weren't packed with people, it really was awe worthy to take in the fresh forest air while walking under each set of gates. There are cemeteries and also a lot of fox statues along the way because they are seen as messengers for grain and the shrine itself is dedicated to the god of rice and sake. Additionally, they are also gift shops, food stalls, and not surprisingly vending machines (bless the person who needs to fill them) along the way which highlights the touristy aspect of the destination but I was able to pick up some postcards near the top that were designed by one of the workers inside which made me really happy when she told me she made them. Regardless of the crowds, I do think this is a must do experience.

Literally steps away from the Inari station, easily accessible from Kyoto station. This place is very crowded like herds of people walking towards a zombie apocalypse. On a nice day though it is a nice walk. Today it was sprinkling a bit and cold though. This is one of those places that no doubt is on your to do list of sites in Kyoto. I don't know the history behind it but this place is massive. About 1 hour to go up and down while dodging the crowds.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine to the deity Inari. Although it is said there are over 30 thousand Inari shrines all over Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most popular, with over four thousand torri gates leading up through the sacred Mount Inari. Inari is the deity of foxes, fertility, rice, tea and sake, of agriculture and industry, of general prosperity and worldly success, and one of the principal kami of Shinto. And people often gather to pray for bountiful harvests, business prosperity, and the safety of their homes and family. You'll also see a lot of fox statues throughout the grounds, as they are believed to be the messengers of Inari. Fun fact: the torii gates along the entire trail are donated by various individuals and companies, and the donor's name and the date of the donation is inscribed on the back of each gate. Most people stick with the first sections of the gates, and quickly turn back. So if you're looking to get better picturesque moments without throngs of people, it is recommended that you hike about 30mins up the trail where the crowd significantly thins out. The trail itself all the way up and back down takes a good 3hrs. So make sure you're prepared for the trip if you plan to go all the way to the top. And while locals and tourists alike are pretty courteous in Japan about not walking around you when you try to snap a pic or two along the narrow trail, try not to be like some people we encountered that would take multiple shots and have multiple stops every few feet in, while completely bottlenecking the line for 10mins or more on end.

Inari Shrine is a must visit if you're ever in Kyoto, or any of the surrounding prefectures as it's a fast trip next door with subways or trains. As long as you can get to the JR Inari station, it's right outside of the stop when you get off. Equivalent of being walked to the front door. You would be coming here to enjoy all of the nature, peacefulness, and serenity offered in this area by the shrine. Of course, if you ever come during celebrations, such as New Year's or the Lunar New Year week, cherry blossom festival, etc, it will be crowded to no end as you can see in the picture. While non holiday times could still be crowded sometimes, it's usually during the mid day when it's a bit busier, so if you come earlier or later in the day you will be fine. Inari is split up into several parts. There's a walkway up that is filled with local businesses in this area. Most of these places aren't quite as bustling during the none festival times, but that also means they aren't as crowded most of the time either so makes for a good rest stop if you plan to take a break before headed up to the shrine the path to the top of Inari, or after you've come back down front your journey to kick back and relax. There's a food variety of things going on here which also includes cute souvenir shops. The next area is the main shrine area which is the area right outside the train station. This is a pretty big temple space with several areas and different shrines to be found. The temple grounds are also on various levels as you go up the steps into each section. Next big area are the gates, of which many have probably known about ahead of time. The massive pillars that accompany your walk up towards the sight seeing pit stock area is a scene to be remembered. While this path doesn't lead up to the very top, there's plenty of them that you can walk up this path for a awhile and still enjoy these sight seeing red pillars around you. It's a neat experience for sure . After the pillars there is a sight seeing mountain side rest area, where you can take a nice good look from the mountain side, and just take in the beautiful sights in the not too far distance. If you like hiking, nature and the alike you will want to at the very least make it to this area. Lastly, the final main area is at the very top of this travel. For those adventurous, or fit enough, to get towards the very top, there's one more shrine attraction to be had there. I've personally never made it to the top in all my precious visits, but I will one of these days. Must go to place for sure if you're ever in Kyoto or even a neighboring prefectures, as it offer sights that will differ from many of the other experiences while in the city.

I can't imagine giving this place anything less than 5 stars. It was amazing! Since I couldn't get used to the time difference we got up early like 6:30 am and took the Jr Nara line to the Inari. It was literally right off the train stop. Check the train times because they don't run 24 hours a day. The place was empty and I was able to get many photos without lots of other tourists like me. There was a bathroom near the start of the hike and one about half way up. We hiked to the top and it was so much fun. I think it took us about an hour to go up. It's paved and basically like walking up flights of stairs. Coming down we stopped and had green tea and crackers. I left my glasses at the tea house and the tea server ran down the stairs to return them to me, We also stopped for coffee and a boiled egg at another stop. It was so much fun. It reminded me what I imagine hiking in Tibet would be like. I couldn't believe how crowded it had gotten once we were down the bottom. I forgot to mention it was no cost.

The giant red-orange gate at its entrance made it impossible to miss. Crowds shuffled in and out along a narrow pathway filled with yummy food vendors. Of course, I had to stop by the candied strawberries which I have became addicted to throughout our vacation in Japan and it all started in Kyoto. This is one of the most popular sights in Kyoto so it was pretty crowded even during off season. There were hundreds of people blocking the pathways from the very beginning. We were already exhausted as we started off our morning early from Sagano Bamboo Forest to Nijo Castle. By the time we got to Fushima, I was already beat. So, we did not hike halfway as I hoped we would have at least somewhat of a section of red gates to take an Instagram worthy picture. But that's okay. Even though the number of gates were impressive, I wasn't too impressed as I wanted to be when I initially put this on our itinerary. It could be exhaustion, the crowd, high expectations? Aside from that, there were waaaay too many people stopping and blocking the gates to take pictures the whole entire time. I knew coming in that it would be crowded towards the beginning and had the intention to trek up at least halfway, but that didn't happen. So... til next time.

Fantastic place to visit and take a morning stroll around. This shrine is probably one of my favorites because of all the Torii gates built all around and passing under each one is significant to say the least. Although I'm not Shinto, it's still magnificent to see and witness history of this shrine and how locals worship when they visit. If you decide to visit, make sure to come early like 7am to best the tourist crowds because you'll never get a decent photo with tons of people crowding around you. I came here early and tried to avoid all the tourists so if you're an early bird like me, get here as early as possible to get nice pictures without random strangers in them. While you take photos and videos, enjoy a nice morning hike through this Shino Shrine and take it all in and bask in all the beauty of how they built and designed this place.

Beautiful walking thru the vermillion torii gates with some parts thru forest, running water, a pond and stops with great views. We went at 7 am and there were already a lot of people. I wanted to try it at night too but my walking companion was tired from the full day of sightseeing and I was too scared to walk it at night

is it touristy? Sure. is it gimmicky? Sure. But we sure enjoyed our visit to Fushimi Inari. We woke up first thing to arrive there before 7am. There were "people" but there was opportunity to snap a couple of shots without any people around. We retired halfway into the walk (as we had other places to visit!). By the time we left, there was a crowd building up - hence we do recommend coming first thing in the morning. PS: probably the funnest part of the visit was seeing multiple cats around the area. They were very chill, and as cats always do, just doing their own thing and relaxing. Overall Kel rating: /5 The good: Good picture opportunities (come early). The decent: Bring good walking/hiking shoes. The ugly: Crowds can build up

What's up: Hundreds of torii gates. That could only mean one thing in Kyoto: the Fushimi Inari Shrine! Not only can you visit their popular Shinto shrine, but you can also spend some time to enjoy a hike up Mt. Inari. Access: A 1 minute walk from JR Inari Station. Environment: As soon as you walk out of the station, you'll be greeted by the Great Torii. As you enter, you'll see statues of the foxes (kitsune) that act as Inari's messengers. Don't forget about Temizu, the little water area where you can purify your hands and body prior to entering the shrine. On the left of the main shrine buildings, you'll see the path that takes you through the Senbon Torii (1,000 gates). At the end of that, you'll have the option to continue to follow the torii gates up the mountain or head back down. You'll find street vendors selling yummy food at the bottom near the shrine grounds. Don't forget to check out the omamori shop to grab some protective charms. On a separate trip, we hiked all the way to the top and back down, which took about 2.5 to 3 hours. There's a little sign at the top indicating the Top of the Mountain. What was ordered: - N/A. Free admission Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. I'm always amazed when we're walking through all the orange torii gates. It was even more amazing this time around because they were dusted with snow. Since this is such a popular shrine, expect lots of people but if you get there early, you can enjoy some quiet time before it gets busy.

A beautiful shrine allowing culturally significant photo opps. Almost pilgrimage like with steps leading up to the beautiful gates featured in travel advertisements. Get off at JR Inari Station for a short few steps across the roadway. Count how many fox statues you pass on your uphill trek. Coming down you'll find shops, some food options and a chance to enjoy Inari or cone sushi my personal favorite.

Early morning again to get to Fushimi Imari Taisha. It was very serene and peaceful, went all the way to the top with my boys. Love Kyoto for all its nature and antiquity.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is located in southern Kyoto. It is a Shinto shrine that is a popular tourist location for its trail and many torii gates. Some background: The shrines are dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari. You'll notices fox figures/statues; this is because foxes are thought of as messengers of Inari. There are periodic rest areas with small businesses offering snacks and/or souvenirs. There are also restrooms scattered throughout the trail. At the top of the trail is a shrine. It can be quite a trek up many uneven steps. I did not time the hike, but I've read to plan for about two hours for the entire trail. I enjoy hikes, so I had a great time visiting this popular sightseeing destination. However, if you don't enjoy walking, I would say you can opt out of attempting to reach the top of the trail.

Fushimi Inari is a must when visiting Kyoto. Famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, the entire space consists of temples, shrines, a lake, and a mountain. You start at ground level, where there are many components of the temple and even traditional practices taking place. As you make your way deeper in, you will discover the torii gate's. Keep walking through and be prepared for a sensation like no other, as you fully immerse yourself in the narrow passageway formed by the gates. As you continue to go, even deeper in, you'll notice the gradient increasing as you begin, walking upwards, along what becomes a hike up the mountain. The whole hike to the peak of the mountain and back can take up to 2 to 3 hours. That being said, it's incredibly worth it, especially for first timers. I recommend going early in the morning before people wake up so that you can have the space to yourself as it's especially pretty during the sunrise. Keep your eyes out for some roaming cats and make sure to take in the beautiful views of Kyoto when you get closer to the top.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is an incredible place, an absolute must-see if you're visiting Kyoto. We went to a number of shrines and temples when we were in town last month, but we spent the most time here and could have hung around longer if it weren't so hot, and we didn't have somewhere else to be. This taisha is the head shrine to Inari, the fox god of prosperity--the guy you hit up for your share of worldly fortune. It's an old place with a ton of history, dating back to the 700s. To be honest, though, I didn't leave with a strong impression of the main temple buildings. Like most tourists, I came to see the Senbon Torii, and holy shit, were they amazing. The torii are vermillion gates that have been donated over time in gratitude to the fox god, mostly by Japanese businesses. Senbon Torii means 1,000 Torii, and the name is actually a massive undersell--there are more like 10,000 torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha. They vary in age and shade of orange (I assume old ones are replaced over time as they fall apart), but they present as a single phenomenon. You can follow the torii on a path that goes all the way up Mount Inari. They're lined up so close together that they almost become like tunnels, providing some shade for the hike. We only went halfway up, as we were covered in sweat and had to get going, but the hike was amazing, and despite my general laziness, I'd like to go to the top one day. That said, even the mountain views were secondary to the breathtaking sight of all those torii. I know there are a lot of shrines in Kyoto, but make time for Fushimi Inari Taisha. It's a place like no other I've ever seen.

One of the highlights of my recent trip - we got there early (highly recommend, and even then there were a lot of people) - about 8amish. School groups, ladies wearing rented kimonos, international travelers (like us) - lots of people, even on a weekday. There is a crossroads with mainly snacks and food about halfway up, but if you can, try to ascend to the summit. The crowds thin down (not entirely), and there are moments of quiet that feel serene and peaceful. Very unique experience - my friend's family supposedly has their name on one of the gates, so I was looking for it (no luck). It took about three hours up and back - relatively easy pace, but lots of uphill and concrete steps. We partook in an ice cream bar on the way back down lol.

Beautiful shrine with many torri gates throughout the property, making for great photo opps. Highly recommend going there early to beat the crowd since it does get pretty crowded starting at 9AM. If you're planning on hiking up Mt. Inari, be prepared for stairs...lots and lots of them. The property has cats everywhere who aren't afraid of humans. This is located right across from a convenience store and a train station.

We took the JR subway ( Nara Line ) from the Kyoto Train Station to the Inari Station which is only about 2 stops. Once we got off the train in Inari just follow the tourists out of the station directly to the Fushimi Inari Taisha entrance. Admission to the shrine and temples is free. It is an amazing site with marvelous orange painted columns (10,000) of them. I recommend coming out here early since it gets very crowded, very quickly. There are a number of steps to climb as you walk throughout the number of shrines. We walked throughout till we got to the top of the mountain. You know you have reached the top because there is a sign that say "top" of mountain and then you continue on the downward decent of steps leading to the exit of Fushimi Inari Taisha. Lots of little places to get things to drink and eat along with way as well as a number of drink vending machines. Bathrooms are also available throughout the walk. It is one of the must see tourist site in Kyoto.

We had so much fun walking through the Torri gates to get up to mount Inari! Fun but oh so tiring! There's around 12,000 steps to get to the top. We got there early to try and beat the crowds but it was still pretty filled with people. There are spots to take breaks, vending machines go get drinks and Re-energize with snacks and/or delicious ice-cream. Right outside the area there's plenty of delicious street food to try and trust me you'll need that protein after that hike. It took us around 2.5hrs to do the whole hike and we had our 3 year old with us so took breaks a little more often for him.

This was one of my favorite attractions in all of Kyoto. I visited many temples while I was there and for me, it was tied with Kiyomizudera for the most impressive. As its name implies, this place is dedicated to the Shinto god of rice, Inari. Photos of this place give you the impression that it has many torii gates in a red-orange color. However, no photos can do justice to the sheer size of the place. The gates seem to go on endlessly. There are supposedly 10,000 gates in total. I was told that it can take around 2 to 3 hours to walk from the base to the summit through all the gates. I gave up about halfway up to the top myself. There are rest areas along the way but only those in good physical condition should attempt this hike.

SHRINE OF THE SILVER MONKEY Be on the lookout for wild primates hiding among the thousands of orange 'torii' at this famous Kyoto landmark. The 24hrs we spent in Japan's cultural epicenter were easily some of the best all trip. Having visited Kiyomizudera the day before -- followed by lunch at Honke Owariya, a tour of the Geikkekan sake museum, and a night at an authentic 'ryokan' (a traditional Japanese inn) -- we awoke early the morning of 7/24/19 to experience Fushimi Inari. This popular tourist attraction is the primary shrine for the spirits of rice, agriculture, fertility, worldly success......and foxes. You can pay respects at one of the dozens of prayer areas, and for a small 200¥ fee, you can light a candle to wish for good fortune & health. It goes by the honor system, so y'know, be honorable. What most people come to see at Fushimi Inari are the staggering number of 'Senbon Torii' that line the guest paths. Each one is sponsored by a company or donated by a family/person, a process that began in the Edo period and continues to this day. There's at least 1,000 of these brightly colored gates around the property. Those feeling particularly adventurous can make the lengthy trek up the mountain. Even if we didn't have a timetable to adhere to, we still would've taken the short route (it was 100°F in Kyoto when we visited, FAR too hot for hiking in unfamiliar terrain). I strongly recommend bringing a hand fan in summer weather. As for the families of monkeys, we saw nary a single ape despite witnessing plenty of signs warning us of their "aggressive behavior" and "not to take selfies with" or "give them cold Asahi beer". For those of you who really want to get up-close with some of our distant relatives, try Iwatayama Monkey Park in Arashiyama (you can feed & touch 'em there). * TL;DR * Not sure if it was the warm midday sun poking thru the canopy of ginko trees, or the streams gently cascading down moss covered rocks, but there were several times at Fushimi Inari when I felt like I was in a scene from a jigsaw puzzle. I had to convince myself it wasn't some kind of fever dream brought on by eating buffalo wings right before bed. Our time spent here was peaceful (excluding all the flyers posted with a screaming monkey face on them). Fushimi Inari should absolutely be part of your plans while in the beautiful city of Kyoto; visit early in the day to avoid the crowds, and wear comfortable shoes!

Fushimi Inari is definitely a huge tourist attraction in Kyoto. We came on a rainy day - which made it maybe not the most optimal setting. However, we were determined since it's definitely the Insta-worthy background for photos on end. When we arrived late morning (nearly noon) there was already a building crowd. So to avoid as much of a crowd as possible, I definitely recommend arriving earlier. As my friend noted (and I agree) that it is a little weird that we are taking pictures of/with shrines - like taking pictures in a cemetery and posting it all over Instagram. Even so - it is a worthy tourist visit that is worth walking along the staircases of - whether it's for the Instagram photos or appreciation of the history and meaning.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the largest and most iconic Shinto shrines in Kyoto Japan. It is well known for it's thousands of beautiful tall red tori gates, which lead into a scenic wooded forest trail. Beautiful Fox statues representing messengers can be found all over the shrine grounds. Many of the visitors veer off the main trail and enjoy the colorful landscape of trees, flowers and water. It is definitely a place to highlight on your itinerary while in Kyoto.

02/06/20 - Fushimi Inari was high on my must see list when we went to Kyoto. The Shinto shrine can be reached by taking the JR Train from Kyoto Station. It's only 2 stops away. There are paths called "sen-bon-torii", meaning alleys of tunnels made of 1,000 vermilon torii gates. Actually, however, it is said there are a total of more than 10,000 torii gates, large and small, in the shrine compound which includes the whole of Mt. Inariyama. If you are going to attempt the climb to the top of Mt. Inariyama it will take you 2-3hrs. You will need to be physically fit as the climb to the summit requires that you pass through more then 10,000 plus gates & 14 different levels on the way to the top. Along the way there are signs posted warning about the aggressive families of monkeys & wild boars. There are also many cats along the path. The climb is physically exhausting. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the top. There are rest areas along the way that serve drinks & snacks Along the path there are numerous shrines w/kitsune or foxes who were thought to serve as messengers of the god Inari or the god of agriculture & business. I spent 3 days in Kyoto and wished we had allowed more time as there were so many sights I wanted to see but both the physical exhaustion and lack of time didn't allow for us to see all of the sights that I wanted to see.

Ome of my favorite tourist destinations in Kyoto. Done it twice now. Started walking TO Fushimi Inari are 0809. 25 minutes later started the actual walk up through the Toriis. Up, down, some souvenir shopping at street level when finished, and walked back another 25 minutes to our Airbnb. Finished at 1135. So for those out of shape people that complain this walk is a difficult hike...realize those people shouldn't be attempting this walk. About 4 kms loop up and down just for Fushimi Inari toriis. Start early to avoid the throngs of tourists. And generally speaking once you've walk 10-15 minutes through the toriis most of the tourists quit and return. Keep going and you're likely, like us, to have the trail all to yourselves. Enjoy.

Fushimi Inari is a popular destination for tourists and locals in Kyoto. I came here twice and still thought this was such an amazing place to visit for a half day trip. Huge red torii gates along the hike up to the summit and with tens of thousands of them, it's pretty cool and picture worthy. There is a midpoint with a nice view of Kyoto and shops to get food, ice-cream, or drinks. There are also some cute cats along the way! Best to come early mornings! It is open 24/7!

Fushimi inari was one of the most impressive and convenient shrines go get to in Kyoto, located steps from exiting the train which made the experience nice. There were many people here during my visit although early in the morning but not sunrise early. This is the type of place I would have loved to visit more than once, when it was quieter to walk through the gates solo and in a peaceful environment but the experience was much more hectic than that which made it far less enjoyable. If I return to Kyoto it will definitely be at a different time of year and I'd plan to return because this was one site that seemed it could really be magical under the right circumstances.

When in Kyoto, one must visit the famous orange Torii gates at Fushimi Inari! The sights and trip here will really make you *breathless* haha If you're like me, wanting to get great solo/selfie shots, you better come early. We got here around 7:15am and there were still some smaller groups of people here. Expect at least a 2 hr hike up and down, and definitely take your time just taking in the beautiful sights and you'll be seeing a whole lot of ORANGE! There are a few stops along the hike, a small resting area as well a restroom in between the routes. We made it to the top (yay!) and it's totally worth it. There's a shrine at the top as well as some eateries along the way if you wanna stop for a small snack. You can easily spend a half day here because of the gorgeous views. Once we made our way towards the bottom, there's a small street of food vendors, which I highly recommend checking out too (kobe beef, takoyaki, etc).

Fushimi Inari is where you will catch the famous, very Instagrammable orange/red Torii gates. Everyone says it's a 'must-see' when you come to Kyoto, and they're not wrong. Just make sure you allot enough time for this. I stupidly thought it was a shrine (at sea level) that you could just pop in for a visit. But it's actually a pretty long hike up. We made it about halfway (a bit after the gates, of course) before we gave up and called it quits. You can easily spend half a day here and around the neighborhood. As with all touristy sites, go early to avoid crowds (as much as you possibly can). We got there at around 9 am on a Sunday and it was already packed. When we left at 11, there were even more people coming in at that time. The good thing is that it doesn't close, so you can really go as early as you want. Note - it's pretty easy to get here. You can take the Nara line on the JR, and it's two stops from Kyoto station. Don't forget to check out the alley next to the entrance of the shrine if you're looking for a snack. It's a little over-priced since it's for tourists but it was nice because we didn't have breakfast beforehand. I'm still dreaming of the matcha soft serve I had from there.

An absolutely stunning and beautiful shrine!!! Even on an overcast day, this place is amazing, calm and peaceful. My friends and I were lucky we came early and did not have a huge crowd, in fact it was relatively empty where we had so many photo ops without obstruction of by passers. The walk up is not bad at all, you'll be so distracted by how pretty the torii gates are anyways. There is a main shrine in the entrance, 2 smaller shrines and also many shrine stops at the top for you to light candles, inscents, and bless yourself at the water fountains. Tip: you won't get hungry or thirsty because there are street food carts lined up on the way there and also many, many vending machines for drinks. Although there are signs that say no food or drinks, not sure why there are vending machines up there?

An orange shrine rises triumphantly to greet you, brightly coloured gates guide you on a forested path. In the calm mountain air, these gates, hand-carved with the name of the businesses that donated them, stand proudly. It's a world of beautiful contrasts; where spirituality meets commercialization, where loudly-coloured structures stand against the stillness of nature. Fushimi Inari. A poster image of Kyoto and even all of Japan. There's nothing more iconic than these orange and red Torii gates, a picture perfect opportunity for every visitor. And there will be tons of picture opportunities. There are tens of thousands of these little shrines, snaking up and down the mountain, creating a warmly tinted hike that lasts 2-3 hours. It is a mystifying experience, enhanced by the rejuvenating mountain air and the feeling of walking through something so sacred. Along the way, you'll encounter checkpoints and landmarks. A gorgeous mountain view is somewhere at the halfway point. Subtle paths trail off into the forest and lead to quiet shrines and stone statues. Mini versions of the orange gates were built up one side of the mountain, like they were dedicated to worshiping different people. Various vendors sell snacks for the weary. Others sell ornaments and even tiny versions of Torii gates that you can write on and hang outside, or keep as a memorable souvenir. The peak was the least memorable landmark. Don't expect any breathless views, that already happened at the halfway point. The peak just blends seamlessly with the rest of the mountain. So much so that when we were approaching it, just passing a sign that pointed we were going in the right direction, another couple coming from the opposite side asked whether the peak was behind us. They had walked by it without even knowing they were at the highest point. If there was a portal to another world, like in a Spirited Away sort of situation, you might find it somewhere among the thousands of orange gates. You can truly lose yourself here...if you manage to zone out the horde of tourists around you. I highly recommend getting here before 7:30, that way you can get a truly breathtaking experience with no distractions. The crowds emerge when you're already finishing up. Ascend in tranquility, descend into chaos, and finish the hike just as the food stands open at the base. Perfect. (100/100) - 2018

Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine is a very famous tourist spot in Kyoto, Japan. So, many tourists visit here everyday. Especially, many red Torii gates are gorgeous and splendid. If you have a time, I recommend that you should go deep inside and climb Mount Inari. It's hard to go to the top, but it will be nice memory. We can get "Goshuin" (handwritten sign and stamp of shrines and temples) at here. They offer 3 versions of Goshuin at separate places. One is the version of the main shrine and we can get it at the shrine shop on the left side by the main shrine. Another one is the version of Okusha shrine as the inner shrine and we can get it at Okusha shrine. It is on the back side from the main shrine and it takes approximately 10 minutes by walking under many Torii gates. If you want to know the details of that place, then you should get the guide map of the shrine. And the last one is the version of Mount Inari and it is offered at Gozendani Houhai shrine on near the top of the mountain. If you want to get there, please be careful because it takes approximately 45 minutes from the bottom of the mountain. And the entrance is located to past Okusha shrine. If you want to know the detail of Gozendani Houhai shrine which is offered the last one of Goshuin, then you would check the link below. Gozendani Houhai shrine : https://www.yelp.co.jp/biz/伏見稲荷大社御膳谷奉拝所-京都市?hrid=EW372-5zgMEbIvquHiIFpg&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) Goshuin charges 300 yen per one. Details about Goshuin is below. http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html 伏見稲荷大社は京都にある神社で、とても有名な観光スポットです。 特に千本鳥居が有名で、一見の価値があります。 日本人だけでなく海外からの旅行客でも賑わっています。 とにかく毎日参拝客が多いところです。 もし時間に余裕があるのであれば、せっかくなので稲荷山にも登って頂上まで参拝してみて下さい。 登山になるのでかなり厳しい道のりになりますが、間違いなく良い思い出になると思います。 御朱印ですが、この伏見稲荷大社では全部で3種類の御朱印を授与しています。 3種類はいずれも別々の場所での授与となっています。 1つ目は本殿すぐ左側にある授与所で頂戴する事が出来ます。 伏見稲荷大社の御朱印で、こちらが一番主となる物です。 2つ目は奥社の御朱印で、本殿の裏、千本鳥居を抜けたところにある奥社で頂戴する事が出来ます。 本殿からは歩いて約10分くらいです。 3つ目は稲荷山の御朱印で、こちらは稲荷山の山頂付近にある御膳谷奉拝所で頂戴する事が出来ます。 ただし、こちらは本殿から約45分登山して行かなければならない場所ですのでご注意下さい。 御膳谷奉拝所への入口は奥社の先にあります。 なお、御膳谷奉拝所の詳細を知りたい方は下記のリンク先を参照して下さい。 御膳谷奉拝所 : https://www.yelp.co.jp/biz/伏見稲荷大社御膳谷奉拝所-京都市?hrid=EW372-5zgMEbIvquHiIFpg&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) 御朱印の初穂料は各々300円です。 御朱印については下記のリンク先にまとめてあります。 http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html

My first shrine in kyoto. This is a very popular one. Luckily you dont have to pay an entrance fee. We came on a Sunday and it was packed. I mean stuffed like sardines packed. As beautiful as it is, I would suggest skipping it, unless you have time on your hands, or go on a weekday. This place was the first place where I saw tourists being disrespectful at a shrine. Joking around, playing with everything. It was disgusting. I can see why there are some shrines where you pay to get in. Keep the idiot's out. You wouldn't disrespect a place of your own worship. It's a holy place, keep it that way.

I took maybe a hundred photos and endless videos but nothing will do this place justice unless you actually go there yourself. I've watched a bunch of Youtube videos and browsed through hundreds of photos but this place is really stunning in person. Not only are there hundreds different pretty places but there are secret nooks and side roads to smaller temples and altars. I found a secret spot that I won't post here but the sides of the walkway had flowing water on each side, a falling water shower and a lone candle lit next to the water (see pic)...and there was no one there! The secret spot is for you to find on your own :-) Super tips: - come early in the morning if you want to take photos like the ones I took, which means little to absolutely no people around. By early I mean get there at 7 AM or before 8 AM. It's cooler too, if you are coming in Summer, which is sticky hot. - bring mosquito repellent! They were ferocious in places that had running or standing water. Some people were scared off from exploring some really nice places because they were busy swatting at swarms of bloodsuckers and running away. OFF wipes work wonders, plus they are travel-friendly. - bring a plastic bag for garbage to tote your empty vending machine drink bottles around - some vending machines do not have any trash receptacles next to them. I saw a man hauling several large boxes strapped to his back, and they were all bottled drinks to put in vending machines. I guess they don't want to cart the rubbish down the hill, either. - wear comfortable shoes! Who cares if it's ugly, only you care ;-) The walk is bit of a climb up, then down, then up and down again. Other: - lots of cats around this attraction. - there are a few bathrooms open around the loop. I saw signs around but most of the places were closed, probably because we got there early before a lot of people and the toilets were not open yet. - this place is open 24 hours, so if you want to come at night, bring a flashlight, but I saw two giant dead centipedes smashed into the steps so I'm not sure you want to be walking around in the dark. Some of the steps are illuminated at night but not the whole way. Plus, more mosquitos and the risk of mis-stepping and twisting your ankle, but I can only imagine this place in the full moon! - there are signs of boars and other wildlife coming out at dusk, so be aware. - the concentration of tourists is heavy at the foot of the temple and a few meters past the main torii gates, but after that, it thins out the higher you go, apparently. - Summer time is really hot and occasionally rainy, but apparently off-season, so if you are a photographer, maybe this is the time to come. - we stayed right the whole time and did the loop in less than two hours. The path comes down through a residential area, depending on which route you take, but spits you back out to the temple grounds. I thought the backroads were especially beautiful.

Early Bird gets the worm. Reading many of the reviews here makes me honestly laugh. I visited the shrine last week and dealt with ZERO tourists. No exaggeration. I, along with 4 elderly Japanese people were the only ones at the Shrine. How? I woke up at 5:30 and got there around 6:15. I had the place literally to myself for about 40 minutes and was able to do several long exposures and exposure bracket shots with my tripod. Around 45 minutes in to my shoot, an Australian bloke joined me and we chatted and shot for about 25 minutes before a few tourists started coming in. Is it overrated? Eh, I'm not gonna lie, it's really not much to it other than the famous shot of the Torii gates. There's a nice walk you can take up the mountain and get a scenic view of the city and surrounding area, but that's about it. That said, if just for the shot alone, it's worth going and checking out. Just get there early.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the best places I have ever traveled to. It is a shrine for the god Inari and is located in Kyoto. It is on a mountain and you walk up what feels like a million steps to get to the top! No joke, make sure you're in hiking gear and pack lots of water. Food too! They have stalls at the bottom for about 500 yen a piece which is pricey. Now back to the shrine! You walk through so many Torii which are traditional red/orange Japanese gates usually found within a shrine. There's so many of the gates on the way up and you get a beautiful view from the top!! Not only that but you pass by many smaller shrines on the way up. You can get to the shrine by taking the Nara Line from Kyoto station to Inari station. Not only that, but there isn't a fee to enter! If you are in Kyoto, do not miss out on Fushimi Inari! One of the most amazing scenic experiences!

Expect every place in Kyoto to be overrun with tourists, and Fushimi Inari Taisha is no different. However, if you're patient enough, you'll soon find yourself completely alone and surrounded by all the iconic red torii that you could ever hope for. The entrance area and first section of the red torii gates are flooded with people taking photos. You'll pass by a section with two sets of torii gates, and that's pretty much the last section that most tourists visit. However, that's probably only about 10% of all of the torii in the complex. If you continue to go up, you'll find fewer and fewer people. Expect to spend about 2.5-3 hours here if you plan on going all the way up to the mountain. It was about 2 hours to get to the viewpoint at the base of the mountain. Then, it was about 40 mins to go up to the mountain and back down to the base. Note that the mountain isn't a scenic viewpoint- it's a shrine. Visiting Fushimi is free. It's also easy to access access - take the JR Nara line to the Inari station. It's only about a 5 min ride from the JR Kyoto station, and the temple is right outside the station.

I've been to Kyoto several times now and Fushimi Inari is still one of my favorite spots to come back to visit...I can never get tired of the beautiful red toriis and fox statues all around! Note that it can get very, very crowded here. Tourists concentrate most towards the Senbon Torii (Thousand Torii gates) area, but the further you go up the mountain, the less people you'll encounter. If you have the time, I'd highly recommend hiking the trails up Mt. Inari and taking in the fresh and crisp mountain air. The main shrine at the top is so quiet and peaceful; it's such a different scene to what you'll find near the temple entrance. Along the way to the top, there are small stops for charms, gifts, and refreshments, and there's even a shop where you can send postcards with a special Fushimi Inari stamp on it. It's a cute and unique souvenir to send back home to family or friends (or even yourself!). Love this place - it's a definite "must-do" when in Kyoto!

Words of advice: come here early! I'm talking 5am or 6am, well before the crowds and tour buses arrive. Especially if you wanna get the good shots and actually be able to climb to the top of Mt. Inari. Otherwise it's traffic jam city. We started around 5:30am and had all the torii to ourselves (aside from a few other people), and it was so worth it. We were able to walk at a decent pace, take the occasional break, enjoy the views, stop for pics (a lot of them), and made it to the top about an hour later. On the way down the other side (the trail is basically one big loop) we came across way more people and as we got to the bottom it was even more crowded, and it was only 8am or so. I can only imagine how crazy it gets as the day goes on. I also think it's worth it to do the entire loop all the way to the top versus just showing up for the pics at the bottom. It's more of an overall experience. But if it gets too grueling you can always turn around or take one of the other exiting trails. Oh and since it's Japan, there are vending machines along the way and at the top. So if you forget water, bring some yen for a water or pocari sweat. Mmm pocari sweat. But I repeat myself, ARRIVE EARLY.

This is one of my favorite shrines that I have visited as it is unique with the thousands of brightly colored orange torii gates as the pathway. It took us about 2-3 hrs to navigate the whole route as we stopped several times and took pictures and enjoyed the views. It was a very hot day so it was nice to find a vending machine along the way as we needed the drinks. At times the steps were fairly steep so you'll definitely want some water. All of the torii gates are sponsored by a company or a family or group and have their names engraved on it. They do sell miniature torii gates that you can buy and write your name on and leave there. The place does get crowded so better to get there early. As others have said, don't worry about getting your selfie in the beginning as the crowd will thin out later the further you go and there will be several places to get your selfie picture taken without getting photo-bombed. There were a lot of food stalls selling all kinds of snacks. Try some and enjoy.

As this place continues to be voted as number one attraction in Kyoto, there are plenty of English signs everywhere, starting from the Inari Train Station. Only two stations away from Kyoto JR Station (5 mins), this place is ideal for all kinds of travelers. After 5 mins of train ride, the shrine is right in front of the Inari train station. Just follow the English sign and it is easy to find your way around here. No admission fees to enter this shrine unlike other temples in Kyoto. Bring your camera as this place is very photogenic. I kept stopping to take more of the same pictures.. if you want to take pictures of torii gate without too many people, continue to go up as not many will go all the way up. They have bathroom facility but they were a bit dirty, and mostly Japanese style. Hopefully they will update or clean their bathroom considering many tourists from overseas. If you plan on going all the way to the summit, pack plenty of water and wear good walking shoes. I was happy I finally made it to the top this time. Shortly after two walkways, if you go right, you will see lots of Japanese tourists lined up. Get in line and when it's your turn, guess the weight of the stone. If you feel lighter than your guess, your wish will come true. They have so many street vendors, it was fun trying different food. Bring cash if you want to try their food.