The Cats We Saw That Day

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Purrr!    Sorry for the cheesy Anohana reference, but there was a surprising number of  shrine cats at the fox god shrine. These felines are accustomed to people  — most of the cats won’t mind if you try to pet them!

But cats are not all there are to see at Fushimi Inari. This Shinto shrine is well-known for its thousands of vermilion torii gates leading up a long and leisurely mountain trail to the summit of Mount Inari.

Path of vermilion torii at Fushimi Inari Taisha

Cleanliness and beauty are defining characteristics of Shinto shrines — and here it’s no exception. As with other shrines and temples, there is a temizuya (water ablution pavilion) for purifying one’s body before entering the temple.

Beginner’s Guide to Charms and Prayer Tablets

Omamori, or protective charms blessed by a priest, can be purchased here and they vary in design depending on which shrines or temples you visit. Cost is anywhere between 500 – 1000 yen ($6 – $12 CAD) depending on the size and design. A unique feature of this particular shrine is the fox shaped omamori and unique fox head ema, or prayer tablets.

Fushimi Inari visitors get creative with their ema.

Although there are many souvenir stores selling key chains lining both sides of the street outside the shrine, make sure to get the charms that have actually been blessed. Look for the stalls staffed by shrine attendants — they’re the people in white haori and red hakama!