Inari-jinja, Shinto shrine in Yanagi-machi, Shimada-shi, Shizuoka pref, Japan
Inari-jinja is a Shinto shrine in Shimada dedicated to the deity of harvest and prosperity. The grounds are lined with traditional red torii gates beneath which stand stone lanterns and fox statues that define the sacred character of the place.
The shrine traces its origins to ancient agricultural traditions and has been visited for centuries by farmers and later by merchants seeking success. During the Edo period it became a symbol of trade and business prosperity, establishing its importance in Japanese society.
The shrine honors foxes as messengers of Inari, the deity of prosperity and harvest. Visitors leave offerings like fried tofu for these stone statues, a practice that keeps ancient beliefs woven into everyday devotion.
The shrine is easily accessible with well-marked visitor areas and wide paths running through the torii gates. Morning hours or sunset are best for visiting, when the grounds are quieter and offer the most reflective experience for prayer or quiet contemplation.
Legend tells that Inari originated when a rice cake transformed into a white bird and flew to a mountain where rice began to grow. This tale connects the shrine to the direct magic of nature and shows how Japanese people wove spiritual beliefs into their daily sustenance.
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