Kamakura's Sasuke Inari Shrine

Honoring the messenger and Fox God

Steve Morton Oct 28, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>It is impossible to miss the front entrance of this colorful shrine</p>

<p>Two visitors gradually disappearing into a thick sea of red torii (gates)</p>

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

<p>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</p>

<p>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</p>

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

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

<p>Another pair of eyes is watching you!</p>

<p>Around the main courtyard are several 'mini-shrines' containing many minature white Inari</p>

<p>Just some of the many countless rows of Inari</p>

<p>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</p>

<p>Up close it`s difficult to say if they are cute or eerie</p>

<p>These tiny Inari are not just found inside buildings but also outside in the open</p>

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

<p>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</p>

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.

Steve Morton @steve.morton138

Yokohama based content creator, editor, and researcher. Steven likes, eating, reading and traveling on a streamlined budget guaranteed to make any self-respecting local gulp. When not too busy with work assignments, Steven attempts to not get lost while following Japanese tourist maps.Follow me o...