Isn’t that the famous tunnel of orange shrine gates at Fushimi Inari in Kyoto? Guess again! This spectacularly photogenic spot is right in the middle of Tokyo, at the Hie Shrine.
Whether you enter by the magnificent tunnel o’ torii…
or catch your first glimpse of the Great Gate as you climb the wide stairs at the main entrance…
the Hie Shrine just gets better and better! Decked out in fresh red lacquer and gold leaf…
the main gate frames the beautiful sanctuary beyond…
and as you pass through the portal…
you find yourself in a wide courtyard, standing before this lovely sanctuary…
flanked by magnificent bronze lanterns that are beautiful in every season.
This shrine is known for it plum blossoms in February…
and eye-popping wisteria at the beginning of May…
For a small donation, the mother monkey to the left of the main building will grant your wish for an easy and safe childbirth, while good luck wishes are handled by the father monkey on the right.
You can even take the monkey wishes home for yourself or loved ones, with the monkey-themed ema plaques, New Year’s twin figures, and carry-it-everywhere amulets they sell at the shrine store.
And while you can only enter the shrine grounds behind the great gate from 6:00 – 16:00, the torii tunnel and the gate itself can be seen anytime, and the gate looks especially beautiful lit up by lanterns!
Open: Every day
Hours: 6:00 – 16:00
Admission: FREE
The tunnel of torii gates is closest to Akasaka-Mitsuke Station Exit 11, and the main gate is closest to Tameike-sanno and Kokkai-gijidomae Stations, but you can easily walk to either entrance from all three stations.
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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 