Just south of Kyoto Station, you’ll find one of the city’s most famous attractions: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. But did you know that the area is also famous for its sake?
That’s right, while most tourists only head south to see the famous Fushimi Inari torii gates, they’re missing out on other things to do near Fushimi Inari Shrine. Add the Fushimi Sake District to your plans and you’ve got a whole day of Kyoto sightseeing sorted. Sound good? Here’s our southern Kyoto one-day itinerary that covers both Fushimi Inari and the Fushimi Sake District.
Southern Kyoto attractions: Fushimi Inari and beyond
Without a doubt, the most famous attraction in southern Kyoto is Fushimi Inari Shrine. But the Fushimi Sake District, which you’ll visit as part of this Kyoto one-day itinerary, is also a great spot that you shouldn’t miss. There are also some museums — as well as a castle. Let’s start with a quick overview of the top spots, then we’ll weave them together in an easy, DIY itinerary.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Famous for its 10,000 red torii gates, Fushimi Inari is easily one of Kyoto’s top attractions. The Shintō shrine is at the bottom of Mount Inari, and both the shrine and the mountain are named for Inari, the Japanese god of rice.
What’s the deal with the Fushimi Inari foxes?
If you visit Fushimi Inari, you’ll see foxes everywhere — as statues, souvenirs, and even ema (wooden prayer plaques). This is all because foxes are thought to be Inari’s messengers.
Fushimi Inari hike: Mt. Inari
There are many paths and trails at Fushimi Inari that lead up Mt. Inari. A simple hike to the top of the mountain and back will take about two to three hours. Most of the way is paved or well-worn paths, so it’s suitable for beginners. From the top of Mt. Inari, you can enjoy views of Kyoto City.
Fushimi Sake District
The Fushimi Sake District is one of the largest and most well-regarded sake-brewing districts in Japan. This is thanks largely to the good supply of clean underground spring water in the area, which is essential for making good sake.
There are a number of breweries in Fushimi, with some over 400 years old. The area is criss-crossed by rivers and full of traditional charm that even the non-drinkers will enjoy.
Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum
Visitors to the Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum can learn about the Fushimi Sake District and Gekkeikan, the brewing company that runs the museum. The museum has exhibits on the sake brewing process, the history of the Gekkeikan company, and sake brewing tools and equipment, among other things.
We really liked that most displays had thorough English translations. Oh, and there’s a sake-tasting area — we liked that, too.
High School students: ¥100
Middle School students: ¥100
Elementary School students: Free
Seniors: Free
Kizakura Kappa Museum
Yes, another sake museum. In this case, one that is run by the Kizakura sake company, and has a quirky kappa theme. A kappa is a mischievous creature from Japanese mythology that looks a bit like a humanoid turtle and is said to live in ponds and rivers. The Kizakura Kappa Museum celebrates the local folklore of this creature, as well as the history of the Kizakura sake company. It’s a strange combination, but hey, it works.
This museum has less English information than the other, but it does have a nice courtyard where you can relax and try sake from the shop attached to the museum.
Fushimi Castle
Another spot you can visit near Fushimi Inari Shrine is Fushimi Castle. It was built by Hideyoshi Toyotomi from 1592 to 1594.
While you can’t go inside the castle itself, you can enter the castle grounds for free. It’s especially pretty during autumn or spring.
Southern Kyoto one-day itinerary
So, let’s get to it. Here’s our one-day southern Kyoto itinerary that hits all the best spots — and then some.
Pro tip: If you prefer the expert knowledge of a guide we recommend booking this Fushimi District food and history tour. You will visit Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Fushimi Sake District, all with the benefit of local insights.
Stop 1: Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
8:30 a.m.Start your morning at Fushimi Inari Shrine. At this time of day, the crowds shouldn’t be too large, so you’ll be able to explore the main part of the shrine in relative peace.
Fushimi Inari Taisha hours
Technically, Fushimi Inari is open 24/7. However, the shrine’s shops that sell omamori (lucky charms) and shrine stamp books are not. They, along with the souvenir shops, cafés, and restaurants, open from around 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can, in theory, visit Fushimi Inari at night, although if you go too high up the mountain you might find there isn’t much lighting. You’d also need to keep an eye out for wild boars. Daytime is definitely preferable.
Stop 2: Mount Inari hike
After you’ve had a look around the shrine complex at the base of the mountain, it’s time to head up. The paths are well signposted, so just follow them, and you’ll soon be weaving your way up the mountain. Along the way, you’ll pass through thousands of vermillion Fushimi Inari torii gates, see lots of smaller shrines, and, if you’re lucky, Mt. Inari’s resident cats. At the top, enjoy the view of Kyoto City before heading back down.
The Fushimi Inari hike is suitable for most fitness levels. You should be able to reach the top and return in two to three hours.
Stop 3: Lunchtime
12 p.m.Next is lunchtime. By now, it will be much busier, so finding a place to eat near Fushimi Inari might require some patience. We recommend Vermillion Cafe, which has a lovely outdoor seating area. They serve a small range of light meals (including vegetarian options), along with coffee and other drinks.
For a more substantial meal, you could try Itsukichaya Fushimiinari. Their menu only has one item, “comparison bowls,” which is a platter of five or so small bowls of different dishes. These dishes are seasonal and usually traditional Japanese food. You can make reservations for Itsukichaya Fushimiinari online so you can beat the crowds.
If none of the places to eat near Fushimi Inari tickle your fancy, you can also head towards Fushimi Inari Station or even go straight to the Fushimi Sake District and eat there.
Getting from Fushimi Inari Shrine to Fushimi Sake District
The best way to get from Fushimi Inari Shrine to the Fushimi Sake District is to take the Keihan Main Line from Fushimi-Inari Station to Fushimi-Momoyama Station. It will take around 15 minutes and cost ¥220.
If you have a Kyoto travel pass that covers JR lines, you might instead want to take the Nara Line from Inari Station to Momoyama Station. This takes just six minutes and would cost you ¥190 (or may be free with a pass). Just know that while this option is faster and cheaper, you’ll have to walk further.
Stop 4: Kizakura Kappa Museum
1:30 p.m.Free entry
Your first stop after lunch is the Kizakura Kappa Museum. It’s about a five-minute walk from Fushimi-Momoyama Station or a 15-minute walk from Momoyama Station. During the short walk, be sure to appreciate the quieter side of Kyoto — not many tourists make it down this way.
At Kizakura Kappa Museum, take some time to appreciate the quirky kappa theme in the exhibition area. Entry is free, and while the signage is mostly in Japanese, you’re here for the kappa and sake samples. Learning about the sake-making process comes next. Once you’ve had your fill of kappa, make sure to grab some sake samples from the nearby shop and enjoy them in the courtyard at your leisure.
Stop 5: Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum
2:30 p.m.¥600
Next, it’s off to the final stop of the day, Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum. It’s just a five-minute walk from Kizakura Kappa Museum.
This is where you’ll really learn about sake. Their exhibitions on the history of sake and sake production have lots of English translations, so you’ll always know what’s going on. They also have a short film on sake production with English subtitles.
Entry to Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum costs ¥600 and includes tastings for three different types of sake for those of legal drinking age (over 20 years old). All visitors over 13 years old also receive a small souvenir.
After you’re done at the museum, make sure to stop by the souvenir shop before heading home for the day. If you’re in the mood, take a stroll along the river or through the shopping streets of Fushimi Sake District on your way back to the station.
Tours of southern Kyoto
If you’d rather explore southern Kyoto with a guide so you don’t miss anything, we recommend joining a Fushimi District food and history tour. This tour visits both Fushimi Inari Taisha and the Fushimi Sake District, so you get the best of both worlds. Otherwise, you could consider a tour of each area individually.
Fushimi Inari Taisha tours
There are a whole lot of tours out there that will try to squeeze Fushimi Inari in alongside tons of other Kyoto attractions. And while that works for some people, in this case we recommend tours that focus on Fushimi Inari Shrine, so that you can make the most of your time there. We like this Fushimi hiking tour that takes you away from the crowds and on a beautiful forest hike to the top of Mt. Inari.
Another option is this small group Fushimi Inari walking tour. You can choose whether to do the Fushimi Inari hike or not when you book.
Fushimi sake tours
If you’d rather tour Fushimi Sake District with a guide, we recommend the Kyoto Insider Sake Experience. You’ll visit Gekkeikan Ōkura Sake Museum and then head to Amazake House, where you’ll try sake paired with various snacks.
Getting to and around southern Kyoto
There are two main ways to get from Kyoto to the Fushimi area. You can either take the JR Nara Line or the Keihan Main Line.
How to get to Fushimi Inari
To get to Fushimi Inari Shrine, you can take the JR Nara Line from Kyoto Station to Inari Station. It will take about five minutes and cost ¥150. Or, if your hotel is in the Higashiyama Area, you can take the Keihan Main Line from Gion-Shijo Station to Fushimi-Inari Station. This will take about 10 minutes and cost ¥220.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions about Fushimi Inari and surrounds, answered.
How long does it take to hike Fushimi Inari?
It takes about two to three hours to hike to the top of Mt. Inari and come back down.
Is Fushimi Inari worth visiting?
We won’t lie to you — this shrine is wildly popular. So yes, but brace yourself for the crowds.
How much is entry to Fushimi Inari Taisha?
Entry to the shrine is free.
Is the Fushimi Sake District worth visiting?
Yes, we definitely recommend visiting the Fushimi Sake District. Even if you’re not that into sake, it’s an interesting way to learn about Japanese culture.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change.
