What if I told you there was a better way to see Kyoto’s most popular shrine? Here are 5 reasons to visit Fushimi Inari-Taisha at night time.
Fushimi Inari-Taisha (伏見稲荷大社) is arguably Japan’s most iconic shrine that screams tourist attraction! From postcards to infomercials to magazines, the classic vermilion-colored torii gates have become a symbol for Japanese tourism.
If you’re planning to visit Japan or are there right now, chances are Fushimi Inari-Taisha is on your bucket list. That’s great and all but beware of the countless other tourists that have the same bright idea as you.
If you’re anything like me and can’t stand the feeling of being herded like a sheep in a sea of tourists, then please follow my advice. Either sack the day trip or promise me you’ll visit the glorious gates of Fushimi Inari-Taisha again, with the night session as your main course.
1. Magical Vibes
Depending on the season, nighttime could be as early as 5 p.m. or as late as 8 p.m., but the key is to get there when it’s dark. Upon arrival, you’ll feel an immediate sense of serenity as the main flock of tourists has gone home for the day.
Instead of hearing the irritating sounds of thousands of visitors yapping away, you’ll feel in your ears the peaceful breeze of the wind, the rustling of the trees, and the occasional nyan (meow) of the inhabiting stray cats. The torii gates are lit just enough to reveal the path before you, enchanting you with a feeling of nostalgia that takes you back in time.
2. Better Photos
Unlike your morning and afternoon photos which are at risk of looking dull and grayscale on a cloudy day, your night photos are guaranteed to be picture-perfect! The shrine is well-lit with lamps and lanterns on every few torii gates, revealing the Japanese kanji on each pillar such that it comes out crystal clear in your photos.
The night lights of Fushimi Inari-Taisha aren’t the only reason you get higher quality snapshots, but also the reduced number of visitors resulting in undisturbed open spaces. If you’ve ever spent ages taking the perfect shot only to realize it’s been photobombed by a clueless background character, then this will be a game-changer for you.
3. Peaceful Walks
Speaking of fewer people, one of the best things about walking through the vermilion torii gates at night is the much-needed personal space that comes with it. In a dense population like Japan, having moments of peace and quiet can do wonders for you.
Instead of being shoulder to shoulder with countless visitors and constantly repeating sumimasen (excuse me), you’ll be able to let go of your worries and really soak in the magic of this ancient shrine. You’ll find the odd visitor here and there, but nowhere near enough people to get in your way and delay your walk up to Inariyama.
4. Stunning Views of Kyoto City
As you proceed through the long and winding walking trails of Fushimi Inari-Taisha, you’ll notice the altitude ascending as you approach the peak. Rest assured, your seemingly endless uphill efforts will be rewarded with one of the most stunning views of Kyoto City you’ll ever see.
At night is where things truly shine (literally), as the view opens up to reveal the sparkling city lights of the Fushimi district and the surrounding cities of Kyoto’s vast prefecture. Again, the night setting has the advantage of giving you the perfect photo opportunity as the city lights shine bright for you to see, no matter the weather conditions.
5. Wild Boars?
This one is for the crazies out there, but did you know that wild boars inhabit the steep grounds of Fushimi Inari-Taisha? Most are unaware of this phenomenon as these feral creatures only come out at night when the shrine quiets down and the majority of visitors are absent. I know, it’s a strange item to have on this list, but I suspect some will be intrigued.
Perhaps for most people, the idea of wild boars coming out at night is a reason not to visit the shrine at night, but hear me out. Firstly, these boars are actually quite harmless, as long as you don’t go getting up in their business and provoke them. Furthermore, most night goers of Fushimi Inari-Taisha have never reported the sighting of a boar, so you’re not likely to encounter one anyway.
I was lucky (or unlucky) enough to have sighted a boar on just my second-ever night visit to the shrine as I made my way up toward the peak of Inariyama. Needless to say, it was an exhilarating experience that, for lack of a better expression, scared the hell out of me. But as I rushed towards safety with my heart racing and full of fear, I couldn’t help but let out a huge smile at what I had just seen, almost regretful that I didn’t snap a quick photo of the damned thing.
Maybe I’m a little psychotic, but if just one reader out there can share my sentiment of seeing a wild boar in the flesh and is now motivated to do so, then I’d say my job here is done!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!