Fushimi Inari Taisha

Contexto cultural

With 1,300 years of history, it is the head shrine of some 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan, dedicated to Inari Ōkami, who brings abundant harvests and prosperous business. Since the Edo period, merchants have offered torii in thanks for answered prayers, and thousands of vermilion gates stretch into tunnels — the light and shade of the Senbon Torii are the most photogenic Japan on Instagram. Foxes are the god's messengers, holding ears of rice, scrolls, keys and jewels in their mouths, and you'll see them everywhere in the shrine.

Costumbres locales

• Pray with 'two bows, two claps, one bow'
• bow once before passing under a torii
• walk at the sides of the approach
• you can buy fox-face ema to write wishes on
• tie bad-luck omikuji to the racks.

Religión y creencias

• Shinto, dedicated to Inari Ōkami. Climbing the mountain to worship is a form of practice — the round trip to Ichi-no-mine at the summit takes about 2 hours
• don't touch sacred objects or enter restricted areas.

Consejos de viaje

• Open 24 hours and free
• the illuminated torii at night have a special mysterious beauty (take care). Before 7 a.m. there are the fewest people
• wear comfortable shoes for the climb
• it's extremely crowded at New Year and Setsubun
• it's right outside Inari Station on the JR Nara Line.