Fox statue, messenger of Inari, God of rice, at entrance to Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto Shrine, Kyoto, Japan

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The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine sits at the bottom of Inari mountain (Inari San). The origins of the shrine date back 711, but the current structures date to 1499. The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice, who has a fox (kitsune) as a messenger, explaining the numerous fox statues seen around the grounds of the shrine. It is famous for the thousands of vermilion torii gates (Senbon Torii), donated by companies and individuals, that climb the mountain to the top shine (kamisha) at the peak (Ichi no mine) of the mountain. Although this shrine is one of the finest in Kyoto it is not yet on the list of 17 UNESCO Heritage Sites in Japan. This view is of a fox statue looking towards the city of Kyoto through the two massive torii gates that mark the entrance, with the rising sun hitting the foremost gate. Inari is also the name for the tofu pockets stuffed with rice, sold along with sushi.

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Size: 5000px × 3333px
Location: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto Shrine, Kyoto, Japan
Photo credit: © Terry Allen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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