How long does it take to hike Fushimi Inari?

What will you pass on the way up?

1. 01

   Romon Gate

   The shrine's great gate, one of the largest gates at any Japanese shrine. Tradition says Toyotomi Hideyoshi built it in 1589, and an ink inscription with that date, found when the gate was taken apart for repairs in 1973, proved the story right.

2. 02

   Senbon Torii (Thousand Gates)

   From main hall About 5 min

   The two rows of tightly packed gates just behind the main shrine.

   Crowds here rise and fall with the main gate. In the evening they ease off sooner: on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, an hour earlier than the shrine as a whole.

   See the Senbon Torii guide

3. 03

   Okusha Hohaisho

   From main hall About 10⁠–⁠15 min

   The inner shrine where the double row of Senbon Torii ends. Next to it are the Omokaru stones: make a wish, lift the stone top of the lantern, and see if it feels lighter than you expected.

4. 04

   Kumataka-sha

   A shrine on stonework that juts into Shin-ike pond, also called Kodama-ga-ike, the Echo Pond. Legend says that if you are looking for someone who has gone missing, you clap toward the pond: the direction the echo comes back from points to where they are.

5. 05

   Yotsutsuji Intersection

   From main hall About 30⁠–⁠40 min

   The crossroads where most visitors turn back, and one of the best views anywhere on the route. The path beyond it to the summit is usually much quieter.

   We have no crowd data for Yotsutsuji yet. Most visitors turn back here, so the path above is usually quieter.

   See the Yotsutsuji Intersection guide

6. 06

   Ichinomine (Summit)

   The summit of Mt Inari, 233 m, and the highest point on the loop.

Which route should you take?

Four model routes from the Inari Hanei-kai, the local shop and business association. Times are theirs; route details are on their site, in Japanese.

1. 01

   Mt Inari loop

   Time About 2 hours 15 minutes

   Through Senbon Torii and past Yotsutsuji to the summit and back down, about 4 km. Take your time and wear good shoes.

   Route details: Mt Inari loop (Japanese)

2. 02

   Quick visit

   Time About 30 minutes

   The main hall, Senbon Torii and Okusha Hohaisho with the Omokaru stones. For when you're short on time.

   Route details: Quick visit (Japanese)

3. 03

   History walk

   Time About 20 minutes

   Traces around the station: the old Kyoto tram line, the oldest surviving building of Japan's national railway, and Azumamaro Shrine.

   Route details: History walk (Japanese)

4. 04

   Jizo statue walk

   Time About 1 hour

   The small Jizo statues of the neighbourhood, including Nurikobe Jizo, visited by people praying to be rid of toothache.

   Route details: Jizo statue walk (Japanese)