Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine

Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine, or Yutoku Inari Shrine, is located in Kashima, Saga. Built in 1687, it is one of the three greatest Inari Jinja Shrines in Japan, along with Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki.

What is an Inari Jinja Shrine for?

Inari Jinja Shrine was originally built for praying for harvest. “Inari” is named after the first Inari Shrine’s location, and it happens to sound like “rice grows” in Japanese. Now there are around 30,000 Inari Shrines in Japan, which makes Inari Shrine the most in quantity throughout Japan. People come here to pray for all kinds of things: a good career, family happiness, harvest, and travel safety. 
 

The grand Yutoku Inari-jinja shrine attracts around 3 million visitors each year. The shrine occupies a quite expansive area from the foot of Mt. Iwakabe to the top of it and stands firmly leaning the mountain thanks to its strong and well-designed construction. 

Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine

Most Impressive Spots in Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine:

Fox Statues:

You may find a lot of fox statues when visiting the shrine. At the entrance of the shrine, there are two fox statues standing on each side. One of them is holding the keys to barns in its mouth, and the other is holding a pearl. The fox statues symbolize abundance of foodstuffs and wealth. 

In fact, all Inari Jinja Shrines accommodate fox statues because foxes are disciples of Inari Gods. Besides, the foxes are originally colored white and red since Japanese people believe those holy white foxes with their red accessories can dispel evil spirits and prevent illness.

Main Shrine Hall:

The lacquer-painted magnificent shrine hall is built on an 18-meter-high (60 feet) wooden platform. To save your strength, you are advised to pay 300 JPY for taking the escalator to get to the main shrine. If taking the stairs, you need to climb 117 steps. The main shrine honors three Inari gods who are in charge of people’s daily necessities. Inside the shrine, delicate and gorgeous colorful frescos are painted on the rooftop.
 

Lines of Numerous Torii:

Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine Torii Gates

Go round to the back of the main shrine hall, you will see a path leading to the mountaintop lined by endless red tori gates. Red torii gates are actually a landmark of Inari Shrines. Have a closer look at the torii, and you can see that there are names of companies or individuals and dates of donation on the pillars. People, especially successful or in trouble, donate some money to the shrine for building torii. This custom started in the Edo Period (1603-1868), when prayers donated money to build torii for the god’s blessing. As time goes by, more and more believers began to donate torii, so now visitors can see the special scene of lines of endless torii standing in Inari Shrines. It’s also said that thinking about your wishes when passing under the torii will help them come true.

Okuno-in:

Okuno-in is, in fact, is a small temple at the top of Mt. Iwakabe. Climbing the steps for 20 minutes, you will reach Okuno-in. In addition, several small temples are dotted along the mountain path. At the time of reaching the top, the full view of the shrine complex, the beautiful Japanese courtyard, and the natural landscape of mountains, are all there for you.

Shop Street:

After visiting the shrine, you can walk on the 400-meter-long (550 yards) shopping street, where you will see around 30 restaurants and specialty shops. It’s recommended to buy some specialties or have a meal here. 

Ticket: Free

 

How to Get Here:

Take Bus No. 81 at Stop No. 5 of Saga Bus Terminal and get off at Yutoku Inari-jinja shrine. It will take you 90 minutes and 1,000 JPY.
 

Where to Go Thereafter - Oouo-jinja Shrine

After visiting Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine, it’s advised that you come to Oouo-jinja Shrine to see red torii gates in the sea. Three red torii stand right in front of the shrine. When the tide is out, the torii shows up completely. When there’s a high tide, it’s a good time to take photos with torii half in the sea and half above. Till nowadays, many fishermen still come here to pray for fish harvest and sailing safety.