Fushimi Inari Taisha Tour

Get off the beaten track and discover the hidden treasures of Fushimi Inari and surroundings with a local historian.
From US$361 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
3.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Sennyuji
  • Fushimi Inari
Photos & Highlights
  • Fushimi Inari Tour led by a historian
  • Journey through Mt.Inari, experiencing Fushimi Inari from a new perspective
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Tour Description
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is the central headquarters for over 40,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan. Originally dedicated to the god of rice (‘Inari’), the deity of this interesting shrine is enrolled to foster business prosperity with the agricultural decline and boasts the largest number of worshippers in Japan. While this intriguing shrine remains a popular attraction for visitors, there's much more to this iconic place than the shrine itself. This 3.5-hour tour, led by a historian, follows mountain pilgrimage (‘Oyama Meguri’). Following this path, we will discover hidden altars, waterfalls, and sub-shrines of Mt. Inari without the crush of crowds and learn how the deities believed to be living in the mountain are worshipped. While exploring this path, we will also untangle the secret story of one of Japan’s most celebrated shinto deities, Inari. 

Please note: this tour involves moderate hiking and is not suitable for people with mobility concerns

A closer look - Sennyuji

Our adventure begins at Sennyuji. This hidden temple shares a special connection to Fushimi Inari not only because it hosts a freshwater spring from Mt. Inari but because it is also guarded by the protective spirit of Inari. Here, we will enjoy a serene stroll through the crowd-free temple compounds and learn about the temple’s historical importance through its close association with the Japanese imperial household. 

Hidden Fushimi Inari Trails  

Leaving this treasure behind, we will follow a secret path that leads to Mt. Inari and begin the hike. Considered to be the holy body of the deity, Mt. Inari was once a sacred religious practice ground for monks and pilgrims. As we discover hidden altars, waterfalls, and sub-shrines, we will learn about ancient Japanese spirituality. Once we reach the top of Mt. Inari, we will be introduced to a spectacular view across all of southern Kyoto. From there, we will walk through arcades of the famous torii gates lining the path from the top of the mountain to Fushimi Inari Shrine on the ground level. We will leave with a deeper understanding of the history and purpose of Inari as well as the important role of Shintoism in Japanese culture.  

FAQ

Is it okay to tip my guide in Japan?
Yes. Context clients generally tip anywhere from 10-25% of the purchase price of a personal service such as this, depending on the quality of the experience and their tipping habits.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility concerns? 
This tour involves moderate hiking, including a short walk up a steep mountain, which can be challenging. Unfortunately, the tour is not suitable for those with mobility issues.
Where You'll Start
23 Reviews (4.93)

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Marcin was very personable and engaged our teen boys throughout the entire tour. They said this was their favorite tour so far! Marcin was very knowledgeable and modified the tour to keep us away from the masses of other tourists as much as possible. The tour took us to parts that we definitely would not have explored on our own. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and he offered helpful advice on how to spend the rest of our time in Kyoto.
Arina made the tour an incredible one!!!
We had a very nice day on this tour. I would recommend it to anyone visiting Japan.