Sanjusangen-do
Kyoto, Japan
Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto
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Photo: Luka Peternel, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free
- Hours
- Grounds open 24 hours
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Time on site
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A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 2 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Senbon Torii
- A corridor of ≈ 800 gates in a row
- To Yotsutsuji
- ≈ 45 minutes — view over Kyoto
- To the summit
- ≈ 2 hours on ≈ 4 km of trails
- Getting there
- JR Nara line from Kyoto Station to Inari — 5 minutes
Key facts
711the year the deity Inari took up residence on the mountain
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inari.jp≈ 30,000Inari shrines across Japan — this is the head shrine
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inari.jp233 mheight of sacred Mount Inari
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inari.jp≈ 10,000torii on the mountain — donated by companies and people
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en.wikipedia≈ 800gates in a row in the Senbon Torii corridor
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en.wikipediaFoxesInari's messengers — their statues stand all over the mountain
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inari.jp≈ 4 kmof mountain trails, about 2 hours up
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en.wikipedia¥0to enter the grounds
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travel guidesWhat is Fushimi Inari Taisha?
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the god Inari, to whom some 30,000 shrines across Japan are dedicated. According to the official site, the deity took up residence on Mount Inari in 711, and people have come ever since to pray for good harvests, business success, family wellbeing and wishes fulfilled. The main shrine building is an Important Cultural Property.
The shrine is famous for its torii — red gates donated by companies and individuals in thanks for good fortune. There are about 10,000 on the mountain, and in the Senbon Torii ('thousand torii') corridor about 800 stand so close together they form a tunnel. Stone foxes, Inari's messengers, sit everywhere — often with a rice-granary key in their mouths.
How the shrine works
From JR Inari station you come straight to the great romon gate and the main hall. Behind it begins the Senbon Torii corridor, leading to the Okusha shrine. From there the trail climbs the mountain past small shrines, stone foxes and thousands of gates.
About 45 minutes up is the Yotsutsuji crossroads with a view over Kyoto; many people turn back here. The full loop over the summit is about 4 km and 2–3 hours. Entry is free. There are teahouses and drink machines along the way, but prices rise towards the top.
What to see
- The romon gate and main hall at the foot.
- Senbon Torii — a tunnel of hundreds of gates.
- Stone foxes — Inari's messengers.
- The Yotsutsuji crossroads with a view over Kyoto.
- The summit of Mount Inari — 233 m.
- Small shrines along the trail.
How to get to Fushimi Inari
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- JR Nara line — from Kyoto Station to Inari, 2 stops, about 5 minutes; the shrine is right outside.
- Keihan line — to Fushimi-Inari station, about 5 minutes on foot.
- From Gion — Keihan from Gion-Shijo, about 10 minutes.
- From Kansai airport — Haruka express to Kyoto Station, about 75 minutes, then the JR Nara line.
- From Osaka — Keihan to Fushimi-Inari, about 40 minutes.
To Yotsutsuji or to the summit
| To Yotsutsujiyou are here | ≈ 45 minutes up | Steps, moderate | Kyoto panorama | Busy up to the crossroads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To the summit | ≈ 2–3 hours round | Many steps | Little view, forest | Few |
How long do you need?
Allow an hour for the shrine and Senbon Torii, about 2 hours with the climb to Yotsutsuji, and half a day for the full loop. Bring water and good shoes: there are thousands of steps.
Fushimi Inari works well as your first stop of the day: afterwards Gion or Sanjusangen-do are 10 minutes away.
Is Fushimi Inari worth visiting?
Yes: it's one of Japan's most recognisable places, the torii tunnels are stunning in person, and it's free and open around the clock.
The YesGo take: at the bottom it's packed by day, and 'empty tunnel' photos are nearly impossible. Come at dawn, climb at least to Yotsutsuji and don't be afraid to go higher — the atmosphere up there is quiet and completely different.
Before you go: checklist
Ready: 0 of 5Tick what is ready — your ticks stay in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Kyoto temples: compare and choose
Temples and shrines in Kyoto rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.
| Fushimi Inari Shrineyou are here | 55 | 2 h | Free | — |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiyomizu-dera | 51 | 1 h 30 min | ≈ ¥500 | 3.2 km |
| Kinkaku-ji | 48 | 45 min | ¥500 | 9.0 km |
| Yasaka Shrine | 48 | 30 min | Free | 4.1 km |
| Philosopher's Path | 40 | 1 h | Free | 6.8 km |
| Sanjusangen-do | 38 | 45 min | about ¥600 | 40 min walk |
| Ryoan-ji | 37 | 45 min | ¥600 | 9.0 km |
| Arashiyama | 28 | 3 h | Free | 10.8 km |
South-east Kyoto in a day
Fushimi Inari at dawn, Sanjusangen-do hall in the afternoon, and Kiyomizu-dera temple in the evening. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.
- Fushimi Inari Shrineyou are here2 h · free
- 40 min walk from the previous stopSanjusangen-do45 min · about ¥600
- 25 min walk from the previous stopKiyomizu-dera1 h 30 min · ≈ ¥500
3 places · about 5 h 20 min with walks · 65 min on foot in total
Nearby — add to your day
How to do it right
- Come before 8:00 — fewer people.
- Above Yotsutsuji it's almost empty.
- Thousands of steps — wear good shoes.
- Don't block the tunnel for photos.
- Next: Sanjusangen-do.
Questions
How much does Fushimi Inari cost?
Entry is free.
What are the opening hours?
The grounds are open 24 hours.
How long is the hike to the top?
About 2 hours up; the full loop takes 2–3 hours.
Where's the best view?
At the Yotsutsuji crossroads, about 45 minutes from the foot.
How do I get there?
JR Nara line from Kyoto Station to Inari — about 5 minutes.
How many torii are there?
About 10,000 on the mountain, about 800 in the Senbon Torii corridor.
Why are there foxes?
Foxes are considered messengers of the god Inari.
When is the best time to go?
At dawn or late afternoon.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Shrine official site (inari.jp/en) — head shrine, 30,000 shrines, 711, 233 m mountain, foxes (checked 09.11.2026)
- English Wikipedia: Fushimi Inari-taisha — number of torii, Senbon Torii, trail length and climbing time
- Travel guides — free entry, 24-hour access, Yotsutsuji, access (unofficial)
- Wikidata Q714828 — coordinates
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