364 ~ Okusha Houhaisho

 

Japanese Name: 奥社奉拝所
Romanized Reading: Okusha Houhaisho
English Translation: Inner Shrine Worship Place
Size: Medium side shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha
Deity: Inari
Fox Count: 4
First Visit: 25-Dec-2018
Location: Kyoto-Fushimi
Address: 68 Fukakusa Yabunouchichō, Fushimi-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 612-0882
Coordinates: 34.96652,135.77559

The fourth vulpine side shrine of Fushimi Inari Taisha, and the first one that is really located up the mountain, a good distance away from the main shrine, but definitely still a part of the sprawling complex. Two life-sized stone foxes sit watch on the way here, and two life-sized porcelain foxes reside within. They also sell fox-themed Omamori (good luck charms) here, so of course I get myself one of these.

Also, if you've ever seen photos of someone standing in a seemingly endless tunnel of Torii, this is where this was taken. The way up from the main shrine leads you through that famous tunnel of Torii. But it doesn't end here. While the way here takes you through the densest tunnel, there's thousands of Torii standing all over the mountain, each barely a meter apart from the next. From here on out, you can hike all over the mountain on a 3km round course without ever being too far from a Torii.

And since this is one of the major side shrines of Fushimi Inari Taisha, naturally it's got its own web page too.