Imagine an endless array of red torii, burial mounds, deity sculptures, and other sacred objects: that’s Fushimi Inari Shrine on the outskirts of Kyoto. In 2005, its famous torii tunnel served as a setting for the Hollywood film “Memoirs of a Geisha” (an adaptation of Arthur Golden’s best-selling novel). This has probably contributed to its popularity as one of the most visited tourist attractions in Japan.
Fushimi Inari has no entrance fee and is open around the clock. A visit after dark or before sunrise is a great way to contrast with the hustle and bustle of the day. At night, you might even find the atmosphere a little spooky.
If you have to go there during the day at rush hour: The most obvious way to avoid the crowds is to zip through the torii tunnel near the entrance. And then concentrate on the more remote, less visited parts. The areas beyond the iconic tunnel are accessible through an intricate network of stairs and paths to the summit of Mt. Inari.
Intricate network of
stairs and paths
The sheer size and layout of the place can be intimidating at first. In fact, you can spend hours exploring and never run out of hidden places and winding corners to check out. There are even a couple of small inns on the shrine’s grounds, offering food and drink to keep you going.
The area is served by two railway stations: Inari on the JR Nara line and Fushimi-Inari on the Keihan main line. Both are just a short hop from their respective main hubs, Kyoto Station and Sanjo-Keihan.
