On any itinerary for Japan, the iconic bright orange torii gates of Fushimi Inarai Taisha in Kyoto will definitely feature. And for good reason! It has to be one of those destinations on any Japan bucket list! And the great news is, visiting Mt Inari with kids is a brilliant day out.
To relax any travellers visiting Japan with young kids; the Fushimi Inari Shrine and hike is easy to find. And, it is an interesting and enjoyable walk for the whole family (with only small ice-cream bribes required if visiting in the summer heat!).
Read on for all the things to know about the incredible torii gates and shrines, and walking up Mount Inari with kids.
Table of Contents
- About Fushimi Inari Shrine
- About the Mount Inari walking track
- 1000 Torii Gates
- Shrines and sub-shrines
- Visiting Mount Inari with kids
- Know before you go
- Getting there
About Fushimi Inari Shrine
Fushimi Inari Taishi and the walk up Mount Inari is easily Kyotos top attraction.
The main shrine structure was built in 1499 to honour Inari Okami, the kami (holy power) and one of the principal kami of Shinto religion.
Despite the potentially deceptive word ‘shrine’ in the name; this is one shrine that is not like the others.
The shrine to Fushimi Inari Taisha at the base of Mount Inari is reached by a walk up the mountain through literally thousands of torii gates.
The shrine is surrounded by fox-shaped sculptures at each sub-shrine and lining the pathway in places. The symbol of the fox everywhere is a dedicated to the rice god and messenger of Inari.
About the Mount Inari hike
The walk to the summit of Mount Inari rises 233m in elevation.
The path follows a trail between the iconic orange torii gates through the shrine itself to the summit.
- Time needed: About 3 hours
- Distance: 5km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Start point: Fushimi-Inari Station on the Keihan Line or Inari Station on the JR Nara Line
- End point: Fushimi-Inari Station on the Keihan Line or Inari Station on the JR Nara Line
As soon as you exit Inari Station you will see the first of the bright orange torii gates of the shrine. Follow that (and the crowds) up the hill to the beginning of the Mount Inari walk.
Once up inside the main entrance to the shrine, you will the main hall and entrance to the beautiful sub-shrine Higashimaru-jinja Shrine.
- Tip: There is a central office for the Mount Inari trail where you can pick up a map of the tracks.
Then, just past the shrine office you will see a flight of stairs.
This is the beginning of the trail to head to the inner shrine and will take you through the impressive “Senbon-no-torii” (one thousand torii).
- Note: This section can be very crowded so take care, especially with kids.
The Torii Gates
The walkway through the brilliant red-orange torii is one of the features of Fushimi Inari that makes the shrine so recognizable. And so special.
Torii are traditional Japanese Shinto gates. And for the path up Mount Inari, a huge majority of the path is lined on either side with these incredible arched gates. At the end of the thousand torii gates lies the inner shrine.
- Tip: The entire Senbon Torii path is about five kilometres long and takes around 2-3 hours to hike from the start up and back.
Walking the Mount Inari track with kids
The path to the summit is split into several sections. The first section includes the option for a shorter hike ending about 45 minutes up the track.
At this point, the Yotsu-suji Intersection offers a rest point if going all the way and a small selection of tea houses for refreshments.
[This makes it more relaxing when planning a visit to Mount Inari with kids (with the option for a shorter walk if necessary).
However, we found the walk an easy and interesting trail with the kids, and despite the relentless uphill it is more gradual than steep].
The view from Yotsu-suji is seriously impressive from the lookout. It takes in all of southern Kyoto and extends down to Osaka.
- Expert tip: We saved this as a promised ice cream stop for the return journey after we had made it to the top!
The final trail to the summit starts from this point setting off between the two teahouses on your right as you ascend the mountain.
Shrines and sub-shrines
There are several smaller shrines along the track to the summit of Mount Inari.
Most of the focus for sightseeing and photos is further down the track at the main Senbon Torii Path.
These smaller shrines up the top offer less crowded opportunities for taking it all in (and taking some photos minus the crowds).
A few of the shrines to check out include:
- Okusha Hohaisho (place of worship for the inner shrine): After the Senbon Torii (1000 torii gates) is the area known as Okuno-In (the innermost shrine). This area was originally build in around 1500 A.D. for prayers to distant mountain deities.
- Omukaru-ishi (Heavy-light stones): At this shrine you can try lifting an omakaru-ishi (heavy/light stone). First pray, then place a stone on top of the lanterns. It is said your prayer will come true if the stone is lighter than expected.
- Kojin-mine (Kojin Peak): Just past the main Yotsu-tsuji intersection is a small peak shrine with a great view out over Kyoto (even better than from the intersection itself).
- Yakurikisha: There is a small waterfall at Takurikisha where serious pilgrims pray while standing under the cold mountain water. (Note: Not for tourists to cool off; as tempting as it may be!).
- Kami-no-Yashiro shrine: The final shrine at the top of Mt Inari.
Visiting Mount Inari with kids
If you are planning to visit Mt Inari and the Fushimi Shrine with kids, there are a few things to consider.
- Toilets: There are toilets located on the left of the entrance and a further four toilet locations interspersed further up the mountain.
- Visiting with a stroller: There is a first flight of stairs after the main entrance area where you will need to lug your stroller up. However the following section of the walk through the Torii Gates does have a sloping path you can choose if you do have a stroller.
- Steps: The second part of the track after the Senbon Torii follows steps all the way up to the summit and is not suitable for a stroller.
- Shops and refreshment: There are several small teahouses part way up the track with basic refreshments and a small selection of souvenirs.
There are loads of learning opportunities visiting Mt Inari with kids, and plenty of ways for children to engage with local culture.
Our kids especially loved watching and having a go at the water and purifying stations along the trail.
Statues of foxes are found in great numbers all the way along the trail up the mountain. With the fox a symbol of Inari culture and devotion at each shrine.
For the walk up Mount Inari with kids, this also provides a fun way to learn about Inari. Plus, it helps to keep the morale of the inclining hike up whilst spotting foxes along the trail. (Trust me on that one!).
Things to know before you go
- Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
- Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
- Opening Hours: Shrine can be entered any time (Shrine Office 8:30am – 4:30pm)
- Entrance fee: Free
- Access: Inari Station (JR Nara Line)
- Website: http://inari.jp/en/
Getting there
Fushimi Inari Shrine is easy to access by rail in Kyoto.
From Kyoto Station to JR Inari Station the ride is only about five minutes. And from JR Inari Station the walk to the first entrance torii gate is only two minutes.
Just follow the crowds and look out for the beautiful bright orange torii.
To anyone visiting Kyoto with kids, make sure to add the Mount Inari Shrine to your list of places to see.
It is definitely a place that belongs on all travel bucket lists!
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