The Fox Shrine
This shrine is the fox shrine to end all fox shrines. Little villages populated by fox figure offerings are all over this forest shrine in Kamakura, and it’s well worth going out of your way after it rains, just to marvel at the moss.*
This lovely tunnel of orange torii is like a gateway to another world. Tiny fox villages make this shrine extra-magical. The shrine seems to grow out of the deep green moss, under towering cedar trees.
As you climb among the miniature fox-filled landscape, you begin to sense why this is such a well-known power spot…
passing little villages populated by lucky fox figures left there by pilgrims.
Halfway up the hill is this beautiful wooden shrine surrounded by fox figures…
where the foxes have found homes in every nook…
leafy oasis…
crevice…
and water basin
Despite its out-of-the-way location, many pilgrims visit, leaving fox offerings behind…
Each small shrine is more beautiful than the last
Near the end of the hiking loop is the most extensive fox village.
In the shady hush of the deep forest, it seems possible that as soon as you leave, the foxes will come alive.
And of course, you can leave your own lucky fox figures – along with a wish – in one of the villages along the way. Buy a pair at the shrine store before you set out.
Hours: 9:00 – 16:00
Shrine admission: Free
There are more pix of the hidden nooks and crannies of the fox shrine here.
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You can visit the main part of the shrine by climbing the not-too-extensive flight of steps through the torii gate tunnel. The hike up to the second shrine isn’t long (it took us about half an hour to do the whole loop), but it’s fairly steep in places and the trail is rocky, not groomed. If you’d like to skip the trail, you can still see the main fox village by doing it backwards – go left from the main shrine past the red banners and you’ll see it in about two minutes.
*The best time of year to visit is during the rainy season (June-Sept), when the moss is at its finest. If it hasn’t rained for a while, it can be a bit brown and disappointing.
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And here are the other places I take my friends when they come to town
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Jonelle Patrick writes novels set in Japan, produces the monthly e-magazine Japanagram, and blogs at Only In Japan and The Tokyo Guide I Wish I’d Had
Jonelle Patrick writes about Japan 