Hi, I love architecture of Fushimi Inari, what I see on internet, but limited with climbing stairs. I am wondering, if I this still worth going there and we can still see some without climbing high or I should look for alternate options?
Regards
There's no need to climb the whole mountain to see the line of red Torii gates. There's an exit part way for those on tour buses near the parking lot. You don't even have to go that far. You could just go into the "tunnel of gates" for a few meters, then turn back. Go early. Once the tour buses start coming, you won't be able to take any photos without a sea of people in them!
Edited: 8:21 pm, April 26, 2024
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426 helpful votes You don't get the magical feel of doing the whole, but you can get to the thousand torii even on a wheelchair these days:
https://www.accessible-japan.com/places/japan/kyoto/kyoto/attractions/fushimi-inari-shrine/
Good to know. Thanks
In more than a hundred visits I have been to the top just three times - it is not necessary. You can capture the bulk of the experience without going very far up the Inari "mountain". Usually the steps by the pond is a good sopping point for those with limited mobility or less inclination for climbing too far.
I've also been to the top of Fushimi Inari and I can say that for the effort, it was pretty underwhelming.
Nothing to see up there actually, no spectacular view, nothing, just shrines and more shrines (all the same thing).
But it was a nice hike. And got my "steps" in for the day! Wear your apple watch or carry your iphone! It'll make you feel good!
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313 reviews
426 helpful votes Going to the top and hiking the whole loop are two different things. To me, all those subshrines around the loop and a waterfall are all wonderful. Subshrines might look all the same to some but they are not. Here is a map of the mountain. You can see pictures by clicking on each rectangle:
To be honest, though, I hope not many people hike the whole loop and keep it somewhat peaceful.
The majority of people just go as far as Omokaru-ishi.
The best viewpoint is Yotsuji.
It just took two hours from Kyoto Station back and forth to the top when I tried this January, which I couldn't complete last November after doing so much sightseeing.
