FAQ
What do visitors ask about Fushimi Inari?
Short answers first, each with a link to the page that has the details. All times are Japan time.
Is Fushimi Inari crowded right now?
On a typical day it is busiest from 10:00 to 16:00 Japan time, and our top page shows a live crowd score for the current hour.
The score is an estimate from typical visit patterns and the current weather in Kyoto, not a head count.
See the live crowd scoreWhat is the best time to visit Fushimi Inari?
Best window: before 8:00 or after 18:00.
Tuesday to Thursday mornings are the quietest. Crowds are heaviest from 10:00 to 16:00, and weekends are busier than weekdays.
See today's quiet hoursIs Fushimi Inari open 24 hours?
Yes, the shrine grounds and the mountain path are open 24 hours a day.
Crowds fall quickly after 18:00, so evenings and nights are quiet.
See crowds hour by hourIs Fushimi Inari free to enter?
Yes, entry to Fushimi Inari Taisha is free.
The coin lockers near the shrine are paid and take cash only (Japanese yen).
See coin locker pricesHow long does it take to hike to the top of Mount Inari?
The full loop over the summit of Mount Inari is about 4 km and takes about 2 hours 15 minutes from the main hall.
The summit, Ichinomine, is 233 m high. Most people turn back at Yotsutsuji, about 30–40 minutes' walk from the main hall.
See walking times for the routeIs it worth going up to Yotsutsuji?
Yes: Yotsutsuji, about 30–40 minutes' walk from the main hall, has one of the best views on the route, and most visitors turn back there.
The path beyond it to the summit is usually much quieter. Kojinmine, about 10 minutes further on, is a quieter viewpoint over the north of Kyoto.
See the Yotsutsuji guideIs Fushimi Inari crowded at night? Is it safe at night?
It is not crowded at night: crowds fall quickly after 18:00, and from 20:00 it is one of the quietest times of the day.
We haven't checked safety on the mountain path after dark, so we can't advise on it. If you plan to climb at night, bring a light.
See crowds hour by hourIs Fushimi Inari crowded when it rains?
It is usually less crowded in the rain: our estimate drops by 20% when it rains and by 40% in heavy rain.
The stone steps get slippery after rain, so wear shoes with grip.
See how the weather changes the scoreWhich station is better, JR Inari or Keihan Fushimi-Inari?
Use JR Inari if you are coming from Kyoto Station, and Keihan Fushimi-Inari if you are coming from the Shijo area (Gion, Kawaramachi).
JR Inari is about 1 minute on foot from the shrine, with the big torii right outside the exit. Keihan Fushimi-Inari is about 5 minutes on foot, heading east.
Compare JR and KeihanHow do I get to Fushimi Inari from Kyoto Station?
Take the JR Nara Line to JR Inari Station: about 5 minutes, 2 stops, 150 yen.
The big torii is right in front of the station exit. We don't recommend the Keihan line from Kyoto Station: it is a long way round.
See directions in Google MapsCan I bring a suitcase to Fushimi Inari?
You can't take a suitcase up the mountain: the path is almost all stone steps.
Coin lockers at the stations and the shrine are few and take cash only. If you fly home from Kansai Airport (KIX), you can send your bags ahead with Bag2Gate, which is our own service.
See where to leave your bagsHow crowded is Fushimi Inari at New Year?
It is extremely crowded, day and night, from 1 to 3 January for New Year visits (hatsumode).
Our weekly data can't represent these days, so we don't show an hourly score then.
See busy seasonsLast updated: