A must do when in Kyoto. Spectacular shrine with 10,000 Torii gates and 12,000 steps. It felt an achievement and spiritual to reach the summit, however you are able to exit at any point.
There are cafes and shops dotted around on the way up. It was very busy at the start but people dropped off along the route and it became quieter further up. There were many photo opportunities. The shrines were peaceful and calming, away from the high tempo surroundings.
We visited Fushimi Inari Taisha early in the morning, and it was the best decision we made! Arriving before the crowds meant we were able to take beautiful photos of the iconic red torii gates without tourists in the background. The atmosphere was incredibly peaceful and serene, a completely different vibe from the usual hustle and bustle.
While we didn’t hike all the way to the top this time, we enjoyed a relaxing 1.5-hour stroll through the shrine grounds, soaking in the scenery and the spiritual energy of the area. The path was easy to walk and offered just the right amount of quiet beauty.
If you’re planning to visit, I highly recommend coming early to fully appreciate the magic of Fushimi Inari. It’s truly one of Kyoto’s must-see spots, even if you don’t do the full hike.
Great hike, at midnight there was plenty of people. Be prepared, if you haven’t hiked in a while it is a bit of a stretch and incline.
Vending machines every 5000 steps or so, and steps are wide. Some areas aren’t as lit as other so recommend a flashlight and at least one bottle of water per person. Great resting areas and views.
You don't have to go early at ALL. You just have to be able to hike up the mountain. There will be little to no one up there if you want to get pictures. It'll probably take one hour all the way up but even at 30-40 minutes the crowd will be thinned out.
The place is great and the views are spectacular! I would highly recommend it.
I visited the Torii Shrine twice, and each time gave me a completely different experience. The first time, I woke up early and caught the first metro from Kyoto Station around 5:33 AM. That was the move.
It was calm, quiet, and there were just a few other early risers around. Not empty, but definitely peaceful. The morning chill added a kind of spiritual stillness to the place, and I found myself watching my step carefully as I climbed the endless stairs between the towering red torii gates.
The second visit was just before sunset. Completely different story. Crowds. There was a point where the gates were so narrow and packed that it became a one-way bottleneck — once you're in, you're in. I'd recommend walking around that section if you’re not into tight spaces. Studying the map beforehand helps. I ended up lightly jogging up parts of it and "stiff-arming" people out of the way in the most respectful, tourist-friendly manner (not full Adrian Peterson).
The higher you climb, the more the crowds thin out. I made it up fairly quickly and was surprised to spot a few cats roaming the hills up top — a fun little bonus. Totally worth it.
