The Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is the head shrine for all Inari Jinja Shrines
in Japan, and in it the deities of bountiful harvests and successful business
are worshipped. Backed by Mt. Inari, the shrine’s buildings are beautifully adorned
in vermillion lacquer, and the thousand torii gates leading to its inner sanctum
are especially famous.
The tea house (important cultural asset) was given to a Shinto priest by the Gomizuno’oin
in 1641, and is a magnificent piece that was reconstructed from part of the Imperial
palace.
The “Matsu no Shitaya Teien”, a circuit-style garden that lies outside the earthen
floor of the tea house, is dotted with fascinating traditional buildings and features
abundant greenery.
The elegant “Matsu no Shitaya”, the name of which means “house under the pine”,
used to be the residence of this shrine’s priest.
This two-story building was constructed during the Taisho Period (1912 - 1926),
and the partition drawings of Munakata Shiko will be open for rare public viewing
during this event.
SPECIAL OPENINGS
Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Tea House
This tea house was moved here from the imperial palace, making it an especially elegant and auspicious one.
The garden has several small tea houses, and visitors can walk with the mountains as a backdrop.
Door murals by Munakata Shiko, a famous 20th century Japanese artist. Pictures of tree peony flowers, hawks.
Address : 68, Fukakusa Yabunouchi-cho, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto-shi, 612-0882
Access : JR (rail): Inari City Bus: Inari- taishamae Stop -walk 7 min. Keihan Rlwy: Fushimi-inari Sta. - Walk 5 min.
Time of opening to the public : 10:00 - 16:00
Admission fees : 600 yen.
Period of opening to the public : January 10 - March 18, 2009.
*May be closed for Buddhist service without notice.
