Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of orange torii on Mount Inari; free access 24 hours, ideal at dawn.
Fushimi Inari Taisha is the most photogenic Shinto shrine in Japan and one of the most visited in the country. It is dedicated to Inari, deity of rice and business, and its main attraction is the thousands of orange torii that form tunnels along the trails of Mount Inari, at 233 metres of altitude. The full route, about 4 km there and back, takes between 2 and 3 hours; if you only want to see the most photogenic sections, 45 minutes is enough. Admission is completely free and it is open 24 hours, which makes it one of the few great attractions in Kyoto where you pay nothing. The best time is at dawn: the atmosphere is magical, there are very few people and the light is ideal for photography. By mid-morning it fills with tourists. To get there, take the JR Nara Line train from Kyoto to JR Inari station (5 minutes, 150 ¥); the shrine is a 2-minute walk away. Wear comfortable shoes, light clothing in summer and bring water, especially if you climb to the summit.
