Saga's beautiful and romantic check-in spot - Yutoku Inari Shrine

The head shrine of Japan's Inari shrines is Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto. The other two equally renowned Inari shrines are Yutoku Inari Shrine in Saga Prefecture and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki Prefecture, collectively known as Japan's Three Great Inari Shrines.

Our first stop on this trip to Saga was the famous and beautiful Yutoku Inari Shrine in Saga. Before entering the shrine, cherry blossoms were in full bloom in the parking lot, covering the entire hillside! Afterward, explore the Omotesando shopping street, where you'll find a wide selection of shrine-themed merchandise, Saga tea, and other souvenirs. Some shops also offer meals and sweets for guests to relax and enjoy. Weekdays are less crowded, making for a relaxing stroll.

The foxes often depicted at Inari shrines are shrine messengers that appeared after the Middle Ages. Nearly all Inari shrines across Japan feature foxes instead of Komainu.

Inari is a general term for the gods in charge of grain and food in mythology, including Kurautamimi, Toyoukihime, Hoshigami, Ogitohime, Waka-Ukame, and Miozujin. With the rise of industry, the Inari gods, once symbolic of fertility, began to symbolize wealth, becoming worshipped by the business community. Yutoku Inari Shrine boasts the largest number of shrines in Japan.

Entering through the main gate, Yutoku Inari Shrine is a striking sight. The shrine grounds are vast, especially the main shrine! The building nestled against the mountainside resembles a replica of Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple, a truly magnificent sight. Its vibrant red complements the surrounding mountain scenery and foliage, making it even more beautiful.

Yutoku Inari Shrine was founded in 1687, boasting over 300 years of history. It was founded by Princess Kayama-in, wife of Naotomo Nabeshima, then lord of the Kashima Domain, who married into the Kyoto Imperial Palace. The shrine, enshrining the deity of food, clothing, and shelter, is also dedicated to blessing the local crops, commerce, family fortune, and fisheries. The shrine's devout deity has earned it both prominence and fame.

The shrine grounds feature ema (painted horses) for good luck and a charming ema for traffic safety. We joined in the prayers.

To visit the main shrine or the main hall, follow the path leading up to the main shrine. The stairs leading up to the main shrine are located next to Iwasaki Shrine, and the shrine's main hall is at the top. From the top, you can overlook the grounds of Yutoku Inari Shrine, but the climb requires considerable leg strength. If you have more time, you can continue up to Oku-no-in and Mifuji-sha Shrine. The section above is lined with numerous torii gates, but the climb may be difficult for older people.

You can also take an elevator directly up for a fee!

Many businesses that have experienced strong profits donate a torii gate to the shrine. Unlike other shrines, Inari Shrine often features a row of large and small torii gates, making it a popular photo spot.

Such a beautiful place is a must-see if you're in Saga!

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Post by Ningning yaya | Aug 9, 2025