Page 186 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Japan

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FUSHIMI

INARI-TAISHA

EXPERIENCE Kyoto City  B2 ⌂ 68 Yabunouchi, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku § (075) 641-7331
伏見稲荷大社

£ Fushimi-Inari Stn, Keihan line; JR Inari Stn, Nara line @ Minami 5
to Inari Taisha mae # 24 hours daily
This vast sprawling mountainside shrine complex with its thousands
of bright red gates, meandering up the hills to the south of Kyoto
City, is one of Japan’s most striking sites.
Said to predate the founding of Kyoto, Fushimi
Inari Shrine is an ancient wonder. Located in INSIDER TIP
the ward of Fushimi – meaning “hidden water” – Hit the Streets
it is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice The streets around
and sake (appropriate given that the area is the shrine are worth
Japan’s second-largest producer of sake). exploring for their
The thousands of vermilion torii that line the intriguing traditional
2.5-mile- (4-km-) long trail from the main to architecture and
the inner shrine were donated by individuals bustling atmosphere.
and companies, and their name and the date Keep an eye out for
of donation is inscribed on the back of each vendors selling roast
gate. Larger gates can cost as much as a million sparrows on skewers.
yen to dedicate. The most impressive of these This traditional snack
is the gargantuan Romon Gate, which stands might not be for every­
before the main shrine. It was donated in one as the bird is still
1589 by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the warlord very recognizable.
responsible for the unification of the country.

The stage, used for
dance performances
during yearly rituals
at the shrine

A red­collared statue of a
fox – believed to be one of
Inari’s messengers – in the
expansive grounds of the
Fushimi Inari­taisha
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