16 Tips for the Red Torii gates of Kyoto - Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

March 04, 2020

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine - Red Torii Gates Kyoto

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (dating back to the year 711), was easy to get to from Kyoto station and was extremely photogenic. I love vermillion red and it was so pretty how it reflected in the dappled sunlight through the archways as you entered a magical red world. The torii gates are vermillion red as this colour is considered an amulet against evil forces.

This is a must-see attraction in Kyoto. The approximately 10,000 vermilion red torii gates provide a visually stunning archway that lead up Mount Inari. The torii gates apparently mark the transition from the mundane to the sacred.

1. The Shrine is very easy to get to using the JR pass

The Shrine is located outside the Inari train station (JR line, 2 stops from Kyoto Station), which takes about 5 minutes. You walk directly in front of the station and you will see the temples and shrines. Its not far at all from the station.

It's said that this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, but we did find the Golden Pavilion more crowded then this place. People were mostly crowded around the actual Shinto shrine and the beginning section of the Torii gates.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine Red Torii Gates Kyoto Map

Map of the area showing the shrine, before you make your way to the Torii gates, which go up the mountain

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine

2. When is it open?

The temple and torii gates are open 24 hours a day throughout the year. There are no 'closed' days. At night the temple and torii gates are all lit up – so it’s a different experience again. We only climbed during the day time.

I have read online though that it can be more difficult getting good photographic images in the dim light however.

3. Best time to go?

Go early (before 8am) or late to avoid the tour buses and crowds of tourists.

We went in the morning, about 10.30am, mid week. It was very busy then – in fact we lost DH (Dear Husband) in the crowds before we even entered the Torii gates. However, as we went up the mountain, the crowds definitely thinned out a lot and were not a problem.

Many people just seem to gather around the Torii gate entrance and the first section of the Torii gates. I suspect the tourist buses perhaps stop just get a quick photo and then leave.

I have read on the internet that sunset is a great time to go as the sun reflects on the vermilion torii gates. At night the place is also well lit. However, it can be harder to get good photographs in the dim light as well.

4. Why are there foxes?

This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honour Inari, the Shinto god of rice. You will see fox statues all up the mountain too. Foxes (kitsune) are regarded as the guardians and messengers. One attribute is a key (for the rice granary (storage)) in their mouths.

The fox wears a red bib - for good luck and carries the 'granary key' (grain storage key)

5. Make sure you have a meeting point with your family/friends

As previously mentioned we briefly lost a family member in the temple section before the Torii gates. The entire area was crazy busy full of people. Make sure you have a ‘meeting spot’ for any members whom are lost. You do not want to get lost from your family on a 4km walking trail!!

6. Take water and good walking shoes with you

7. There are a lot of steps!

There is no alternative to the stairs for the mobility impaired. I have read that there are 12,000 steps.

8. As you go up the mountain, the crowds thin.

The higher up the mountain you go, the more tranquil and quiet it is as there are fewer people. This means fewer people in your photos too.

We actually did not go to the top of the mountain, but went about half way (the crowds had thinned substantially) and walked back down the mountain. We did not go all the way to the top due to time constraints that day (we had to be in Gion later in the day) and also we had already climbed the Monkey Hill in Arishiyama on a previous day – two big steep climbs might have been pushing it with my family members!! (and there was no feeding the
monkeys payoff at the top).

10. Lots of photo opportunities

Make sure you look in all directions for photo opportunities. The Torii gates going up the mountain are different in appearance when going back down the mountain (they have Japanese writing on the back of the Torii gates denoting whom donated the gate and on what date).

When taking photos inside the Torii gates, try and centre yourself in the middle of a Torii gate and ‘block’ from view any distant people approaching with your camera (obviously don't block them physically from passing through the gates of course!).

There are much better photo opportunities on the way down as there are less people too.

We also found that there were 'waves' of people. There would be a group of say 6 people, then no one for a few seconds. Then another wave of people.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Red Torii Gates Kyoto

There may be people coming up the archway, but if you position yourself right, you can block them from the photo

13. Want to walk to the top?

Its about a 4km trek or 3-4 hours. Some people can make it up and back in an hour and a half, but its probably prudent to allow for more time. There is a view of Kyoto and apparently Osaka in the distance on a clear day. There is a great view of Kyoto 15 minutes down the path from the summit (Yotsutsuji intersection).

Some say the view at the top of the mountain is worth the physical effort. Others online don’t think the view is worth the effort – but they ALL say the tranquillity and peacefulness of the Torii gates at the top of the mountain, without the crowds, is definitely worth it!

Did you know that there was originally a shrine at the top of the mountain? It burnt down in the 15th century and there have been many attempts to rebuild it - but due to typhoons etc, the building was never successfully rebuilt. It is now called a shinseki, which means the shrine has been destroyed, but the deity remains. Maybe that's why people still say the top of the mountain is very tranquil.

14. Fun fact

The movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ (2005) was filmed here.

15. Its free!

You can't get better then that! Of course there are places you can make for a donation to the shrine, making a wish and souvineers.