Taikodani Inari Shrine, usually just called Tsuwano Inari, is one of the five great Inari shrines of Japan and the visual highlight of the town. Its brilliant vermilion buildings cling to the hillside above the valley, and the traditional way to reach them is on foot, climbing through a tunnel of around a thousand closely spaced red torii gates that winds up the slope — a smaller but far quieter cousin of the famous gates at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. As an Inari shrine it is devoted to prosperity and good harvests, and the vermilion complex glowing against the green hillside is unforgettable, especially in morning light.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Tsuwano, Shimane |
| Hours | Always open |
| Admission | Free |
| Time needed | 45–75 minutes with the climb |
| Best time | Morning light; year-round |
What to See
- A tunnel of around a thousand red torii up the slope.
- Vermilion shrine halls perched above the valley.
- One of Japan’s five great Inari shrines.
- Views over Tsuwano from the hillside.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Tsuwano town below.
- Pair with the Heron Dance festival in summer.
- Read our Shimane overview .
Getting There
- On foot: climb the torii tunnel from the edge of Tsuwano town.
- By car: a road leads to an upper car park near the main hall.
Tips
Climb up through the torii tunnel on foot for the full experience even though a road reaches the top — the ascent through the closely spaced gates is the point, and it’s far quieter than Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari. Come in the morning when the vermilion glows against the hillside, and combine it naturally with a walk through the carp-lined streets of Tsuwano below.
