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Fushimi Inari Taisha
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in Kansai Region

Fushimi Inari Taisha

7.1
4.7/5
2.3k reviews

Fushimi Inari Taisha is located at the western foot of Mount Inari in southern Kyoto and serves as the head shrine of all Inari shrines across Japan. According to legend, in 711 AD, the deity Inari, who governs bountiful harvests and prosperous commerce, was enshrined here, and the shrine has thrived with worshippers for centuries. Its signature view is the vermilion "Senbon Torii," a seemingly endless tunnel of torii gates stretching up the mountain behind the main hall. This iconic scene is not only one of Kyoto's most representative images but also widely recognized due to the famous scene in the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha," where a young girl runs through the torii gate tunnel. A short walk east from JR Inari Station brings you to the entrance. Passing through the towering vermilion torii gate and proceeding along the main approach, you'll encounter the romon gate, said to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1589 to pray for his mother's recovery. Beyond it lie the main hall and other principal structures. Stone fox statues are ubiquitous throughout the shrine, as foxes are considered messengers of the rice god Inari, often depicted holding keys or rice ears in their mouths. Before worshiping, visitors can purify their hands at the temizuya beside the main hall following the illustrated instructions, then clap their hands to pray at the main hall - prayers here often relate to business prosperity and financial fortune. Drawing omikuji fortunes and writing ema votive tablets are common practices; fox-faced ema can be personally decorated with expressions, while miniature torii-shaped ema are equally charming. Fox-shaped omamori amulets make popular souvenirs. Go around to the back of the main hall to find the entrance to the Senbon Torii. Hundreds upon hundreds of torii gates line the path all the way to the summit of Mt. Inari, with weathered, faded gates densely interwoven with bright vermilion ones. When sunlight filters through the gaps, the scene is particularly spectacular, making it a popular spot for photography enthusiasts. Each torii gate was donated by an individual or company, with the donor's name and date inscribed on the back. The path up the mountain is not a straight line; it includes both wide passages that seem to stretch on forever and smaller, parallel paths. Rest areas and sacred sites are scattered along the way, and most travelers come specifically for this mountain trail. After walking for about half an hour, the torii gates gradually become sparse. Upon reaching the Yotsutsuji intersection halfway up the mountain, you can overlook the Kyoto cityscape. Many people also make a special trip up the mountain at night to see the night view. Many travelers turn back here, but if you persist to the summit, the mountain path forms a loop. Several small shrines are distributed around the summit area, and a round-trip generally takes two to three hours, which is also equivalent to experiencing a traditional "Oyama Meguri" (mountain pilgrimage).

Kyoto · 5 km from downtown
Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

6.8
4.5/5
2k reviews

A "torokko" originally refers to a small, box-shaped freight car used for transporting goods, running on rails laid in places where trucks and regular trains couldn't go. It's a simple train that rattles along slowly. The Sagano Scenic Railway perfectly fits this image. It's about the speed of a slightly fast bicycle. That's precisely why you can enjoy the nature and gorge scenery along the Hozugawa River. The one-way trip is about 7km and takes about 25 minutes, during which you can slowly enjoy the different scenery of each season: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn leaves, withered fields in winter, and sometimes snowscapes. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom; in summer, the fresh greenery and rustling of bamboo fill the air; in autumn, the mountains are adorned with colorful autumn leaves; and in winter, snow covers the mountains. Throughout the year, the Sagano Scenic Railway travels alongside the beautiful scenery of the four seasons. Its breathtaking beauty will leave a lasting impression on visitors. Sagano Scenic Railway employs diesel locomotive drivers. These drivers operate diesel locomotives, which are now a rarity, with reliable skills and a focus on customer satisfaction, ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey for everyone. Furthermore, conductors on the trains, and staff at stations and station shops, will support your journey with a spirit of hospitality. And above all, our staff fully supports the safe operation of our vehicles every day.

Kyoto · 8 km from downtown
Arashiyama
2026 Global 50 - Spring Outings

Arashiyama

6.7
4.7/5
2.6k reviews

Arashiyama is located in the western suburbs of Kyoto. It is a nature sightseeing destination centered on Togetsukyo Bridge and covering the Sagano area, famous for cherry blossoms and red maple leaves, and the Sagano Bamboo Forest is also one of Kyoto's iconic views. Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River, is the landmark of Arashiyama. The current bridge was rebuilt in 1934, with a reinforced concrete main structure and cypress wood railings. From a distance, it blends into the mountains behind it, forming the classic scene of Arashiyama. Arashiyama Park along the banks of the Katsura River is divided into three areas: Kameyama, Nakanoshima, and Rinsenji. The park is extensively planted with cherry trees and maple trees, and the spring and fall seasons are colorful, making them great times to visit Arashiyama Park. On the hillside of the Kameyama area stands the "Arashiyama in the Rain" commemorative poem monument, a unique cultural imprint of Arashiyama. The Arashiyama area is densely packed with temples and shrines, among which Tenryu-ji Temple occupies a central position. It is the head temple of the Tenryu-ji branch of the Rinzai sect and ranks first among the Kyoto Gozan, with the Sogenchi Garden within its grounds being a representative view. Between the north side of Tenryu-ji Temple and Nonomiya Shrine lies the Sagano Bamboo Grove Path, lined on both sides with green bamboo known as "Nonomiya bamboo." Strolling through it in summer allows one to enjoy the serene tranquility of the bamboo grove, making it an extremely popular sightseeing route in Arashiyama. Cycling is a convenient way to explore Arashiyama and the Sagano area, linking temples such as Giō-ji, Daikaku-ji, Jōjakkō-ji, Nison-in, and Adashino Nenbutsu-ji along the way. You can also hike up to Iwatayama Monkey Park to observe wild Japanese macaques up close and enjoy panoramic views of Kyoto. A ride on the Sagano Scenic Railway along the Hozu Gorge offers seasonal scenery, running between Torokko Saga Station and Torokko Kameoka Station, with different views in each direction on the round-trip. If time permits, you can also take a Hozu River cruise downstream from Kameoka, passing through the gorge and several rapids before arriving at Togetsukyo Bridge.

Kyoto · 9.2 km from downtown

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Featured Day tours in Kyoto

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Kyoto Amanohashidate + Ine Fishing Village 1-day tour [Includes Amanohashidate cable car ticket and Ine Bay sightseeing boat ticket]
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Kyoto or Osaka departure. Sea of Kyoto Amanohashidate, Chion-ji Temple, Ine Fishing Village 1-day tour
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Featured Culture & history in Kyoto

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Kimono Rental Experience in Kyoto by Sakakujing
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Featured Night tours in Kyoto

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Featured Spa & wellness in Kyoto

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[PullulantEsthe Kyoto] Beauty and body care experience
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What travelers say about Kyoto

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A World of WondersAugust 2, 2026
5.0
Fushimi Inari Taisha was a magical place. So beautiful for pictures. We went early evening before it got dark and it was perfect as not too many people. Highly recommended in Kyoto.

Fushimi Inari Taisha

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_TI***xzOctober 23, 2026
5.0
A swift ride up the river gorge. Try and get a seat on the RHS for better views but it’s only 20 mins and lots of tunnels so it doesn’t really matter. And be sure to get the river boat back down, it’s the best way back down. You don’t have to book in advance, just get the special direct bus from outside the train station, rock up and ride. Loved the whole thing - about 3 hours total round trip.

Arashiyama Sagano Romantic Train

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_TI***jrAugust 6, 2026
5.0
Having just recovered from a prolonged illness, I was so weak I could barely walk. The few days I spent at this hotel gradually restored my energy and spirit. It allows you to shed your fatigue and let your soul find poetic peace in its tranquility. All the lighting was soft and warm, not too bright to make you dizzy; the bed's firmness was just right to support your back, preventing soreness after lying down for a while; the meals were warm, easily digestible congee and side dishes; even the air had a mild scent, not irritating my sensitive respiratory tract. Every day I leisurely strolled in the courtyard, watching the wildflowers slowly bloom in the corner, sitting under the eaves basking in the sun, even my steps were light. There was no need to rush my recovery, no need to force myself to get better quickly. I stole a half-day of leisure, finding a long-lost sense of ease and freedom. Those few days I lived entirely at my own pace, without any pressure or urging, and my recovery was much faster than I had expected.

Arashiyama

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ConniebongOctober 25, 2026
5.0
My Perfect Kyoto One-Day Walk (Tested & No Crowds!)*> 7:15am Start at Fushimi Inari Taisha! Go early, the 1000 Torii gates are empty and the light is magical for photos. Hike only to the middle, view is already amazing.> 9:30am train to Kiyomizu-dera, walk down Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka - super photogenic streets, rent a kimono here! > 12pm Hanamikoji & Yasaka Shrine in Gion, you might spot a Geisha!> 1pm Lunch at Nishiki Market - must try Tamagoyaki and pickled snacks.> 4pm End at Kamogawa River for sunset, locals sit by the river, very relaxing.> Tip: Buy JR 7-day pass, save a lot! I booked all tickets via http://Trip.com, easy QR entry.

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

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Leda MandacJune 11, 2025
5.0
Go here if you want to explore street food in Kyoto. These two alleys have food stalls and restaurants to fill your cravings for dango, daigaku, kobe beef, wagyu burger, matcha ice cream, etc.It's a good sidetrip when you're going to Yasaka Pagoda and Yasaka Koshindo Temple.

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

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_TI***ltNovember 13, 2026
5.0
Интересный музей, показан весь процесс железнодорожного сообщения (есть примеры поездов разных времен, диспетчерских, как укладывают рельсы), так же есть различные интерактивы. Рекомендую тем, кому интересна тема поездов и как все происходит.

Kyoto Railway Museum

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What are the must-do things in Kyoto?

Don't miss these attractions in Kyoto: Temples in Kyoto, Maple Leaf Viewing in Kyoto, and Fushimi Inari Taisha. If you like Day tours, try Kyoto in a Day: The Ultimate Top 4 Highlights Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto). If you enjoy Culture & history, try Kimono Rental Experience in Kyoto by Sakakujing.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include Kyoto in a Day: The Ultimate Top 4 Highlights Tour (From Osaka/Kyoto), Kyoto & Nara 1-day tour | Nara Park + Fushimi Inari + bamboo forest path + optional romantic train, and Kyoto Amanohashidate + Ine Fishing Village 1-day tour [Includes Amanohashidate cable car ticket and Ine Bay sightseeing boat ticket]. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 15, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Kyoto is around TWD 684 – TWD 2,016. Rates vary by duration, group size, transportation, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

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Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.