Fushimi Inari Taisha

Welcome to Fushimi Inari Taisha, the head shrine of approximately thirty thousand Inari shrines scattered across Japan. You are currently standing at sixty-eight Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, at the foot of the sacred Mount Inari. As you look around, the vivid vermilion color—a pigment traditionally made from mercury and red earth to preserve wood and ward off evil—instantly signals that you have entered a space of profound spiritual significance. This landmark is more than just a beautiful photo opportunity; it is a living history that predates Kyoto becoming the capital of Japan in seven hundred and ninety-four. Before you begin your journey up the mountain, take a moment to admire the massive Romon Gate, the two-story structure marking the main entrance. It was donated in fifteen hundred and eighty-nine by the legendary warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who came here to pray for his mother’s health. As you prepare to walk the trails, remember to keep to the left as a sign of respect for the deities, and let the energy of these ancient grounds settle in.