I saw there were many foxes represented in stat-
ues and artwork all around Fushimi Inari-taisha and I
learnt it’s because they are known as the messengers of
Inari (synonymous to god). In fact, almost all Shinto
shrines contain a pair of guardian dog or lion statues
at the entrance.
Outside the gate of Fushimi Inari-taisha, there
were street food stalls selling plethora of Japanese food.
They sell everything here from dango, okonomiyaki,
takoyaki, noodles, seafood skewers, mochi, crab sticks,
and ice-cream. It’s a foodie’s heaven though the pric-
es are some of the highest I have seen in Kyoto. Aside
from food, there’s also a heap of souvenir stores and
many chances to take home a little torii gate souvenir.
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