FUSHIMI INARI

Fushimi Inari is a Shinto Sanctuary located 2km south east from to Kyoto. It is well know for the thousand toriis (a torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entrance of a shinto shrine) that limit the footpath through a hill around the area. That foothpath lead the visitors towards and through the wood around the area. This is Inari Shinto God of Rice, and is widely worshipped. The spirit represented by a fox figure (Kitsune) is the protector of the havest so that it has been attached to wealthness. It is often seen carrying a key in his mouth which is for the rice granary. Foxes are said to love rice balls rolled in fried tofu.
There are more than 30.000 Inari Shrines all over Japan but this is the largest and most impressive.


Those toriis have been donated by individuals, companies or families. Merchant and manufacturers worship Inari for wealth