Oct 28, 2014 - 1 min read

Kamakura's Sasuke Inari Shrine

Honoring the messenger and Fox God

By Steve Morton

Community writer

It is impossible to miss the front entrance of this colorful shrine

Two visitors gradually disappearing into a thick sea of red torii (gates)

Over half way up you will see the first of many 'Inari' (white foxes) located around this shrine

Sasuke Inari Shrine is famous for its inari. Although the general translation means white fox, Inari have been worshipped for centuries as a spiritual messenger as well as the Shinto god of fertility, rice, tea, sake and agriculture amongst many other things

Also found in many religious places are `koma-inu` (large dogs), which are generally kept inside the inner shrine so as not to be visible to the public

When climbing Sasuke Inari`s long staircases you will probably begin to feel like your every footstep is being closely watched!

The long climb up these stairs will take you to a courtyard where there is a shrine dedicated to Inari

Another pair of eyes is watching you!

Around the main courtyard are several 'mini-shrines' containing many minature white Inari

Just some of the many countless rows of Inari

Just when you thought you couldn`t see any more foxes a large shrine will suddenly appear in front of you, containing several hundred, if not thousands of these little creatures

Up close it`s difficult to say if they are cute or eerie

These tiny Inari are not just found inside buildings but also outside in the open

In fact they are everywhere!

There is even a small garden dedicated to Inari containing many 'mini-shrines' and monuments to the Fox God

From the top of this garden you can follow the hill upwards which joins the Daibutsu Hiking Course or return back down the long staircase if you want to disappear once more into the thick sea of red torii

Legend has it that Minamoto Yoritomo, the first Shogun of Kamakura was visited in a dream by an Inari, (a white fox) who advised him when to attack his enemies, thus ensuring a victory. Out of gratitude, Sasuke Inari Shrine was built in the 12th century to honor this messenger.

When visiting this interesting shrine it is clear that this sense of gratitude hasn`t been forgotten even after 800 years where you`ll be surrounded by countless foxes of all shapes and sizes. Set within a dense forest canopy, this interesting shrine has a rather surreal and at times, slightly eerie atmosphere.

More info

Find out more about Sasuke Inari Shrine.

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Steve Morton

By Steve Morton

Community writer

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Elizabeth S

Elizabeth S 3 years ago

It is a bit eerie. Maybe it's the slope with shady trees, the moss, the foxes looking at you. It's lovely, too.

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Preethu 8 years ago

I like Red torii path across the mountain :)

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FebiNU

FebiNU 8 years ago

must visit :))

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Justin Velgus

Justin Velgus 8 years ago

I

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George Tan

George Tan 8 years ago

It's the land of Foxes!

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