Fushimi Inari Taisha

It is the head shrine of about 30000 Inari shrines which are traditionally familiar throughout Japan and the god is worshiped for bountiful harvests of grain, business prosperity, the safety of households, recovery from illness, and wish fulfillment. This shrine was established in 711 AD.

The most noteworthy spot is “1000 Toriis”. Vermilion-colored Toriis stand in a queue making a tunnel behind the Main Hall. It is the beginning of history when worshippers donated Toriis with its wish and thankfulness for the god, now that over 10000 Toriis are placed in the whole Inari-Yama mountain.　When you go through “1000 Torii”, you will find “Omokaru-Ishi” at the worship place of The rear shrine (located behind the main shrine). If you hold this stone with your wish and feel lighter than expected, it is said your wish will come true.

If you have time to explore more and want to raise your fortune more, “Oyama-meguri (going around in the mountain to visit small shrines)” is recommended. After visiting the Main Hall and going into “Inari-yama”, you will find a “Tsuka (mound)”, which is said to give benefits related to the health of body parts such as the eye or throat by touching. This mountain is 233 m high and walking around the mountain for 4 km takes you about 2 hours to reach the goal.

There are many stone statues of a fox which is believed to be a messenger from God. It is also fun searching for various types of foxes. In this shrine, Ema (a votive picture tablet) is shaped like a fox. You will enjoy drawing a face freely on the tablet.