Japan is truly a land of wonders with a sense of mystery and remnants of its ancient past full of colourful stories. The city of Kyoto is one of those places that lives in the past even in the present, this makes it one of the most unique locations that will help, you dive into raw Japanese culture. Here are a few things to know about the Fushimi-Inari Shrine which is one of the most iconic attractions of the city.

Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine
Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine | Image Credit : Carbonium, Fushimi Inari Grand Shrine – 伏見稲荷大社 – panoramio (2), CC BY 3.0

The Hike

If you are one of those travellers who’d like a short, but relaxed walk around Kyoto, the best option for you is the Fushimi-Inari hike. The hike begins at Fushimi-Inari Station on the Keihan Line or Inari Station on the JR Nara Line and ends at the same point. There might be some step-climbing to do but take it slow and easy and you’ll be just fine.

Best time to visit

The Fushi-Inari Taisha is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kyoto and therefore crowds are to be expected. Mostly, mainland Chinese tourists flock the place in large groups. So, leave early on a weekend beat the crowds!

The Torii

The Torii are known as shrine gates. On the left side of each saffron coloured Torii is the name of the company that donated it while the date is mentioned on the right side. On the other side is a kanji character pronounce hounou which means offered/donated.

The story

The shrine is dedicated to the god of harvest, business and commerce. The deity, Inari, as mentioned in folklore has a messenger that appears in the form of a fox. A statue of the messenger holding a rice storehouse key is also on display. This attraction is a mere 15 drive away from Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto and many other hotels in Kyoto.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+