If you think of Japan, Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) will probably be one of the images that comes to mind immediately. This Shinto shrine built in the beginnings of s.VIII is dedicated to the goddess Inari and is one of the main spiritual cores of Japan. It is said that there are more than 30.000 subtemples of Fushimi Inari all along Japan. The kami Inari, sometimes male, most female, is the goddess of foxes, fertility, agriculture and therefore industry. All along the Fushimi Inari Taisha you’ll spot statues of foxes holding rice seeds or a key (for the rice granary), representing the concept of fertility and economic prosperity.
The toriis that made this shrine famous are actually offers that companies and families donate to the goddess in order to be successful. The image of 10.000 toriis confers a poetical dimension to the shrine, that becomes a visual representation of thousands of peoples desires, projections and aspirations. Early in the morning and also during special occasions you may spot dozens of groups of salary men offering sake, food to worship the goddess; there are also spots in where they offer their business card (meishi) to the deities.
Since its beauty and originality, this is a hot spot for tourists, especially after the success of the american movie “Memories of a Geisha”. The best way to avoid crowds is to get there as early as possible. The shrine is accessible 24h and there is free bicycle parking. Also, it is desirable to walk along the way at least a few minutes: most of the visitors only peep the entry of the way and as you walk into the toriis path, you will experience Fushimi Inari Taisha in a more intimate way. There’s a long way up to the top of the mountain where you’ll find several coffees, restaurants and stunning views of Kyoto, the perfect spot for watching the sunset.
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