The Mountain Subshrines of Fushimi Inari

(To start this series from the beginning, click here.)

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Although each station is unique, most feature large and small shrines:

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And places for worshippers to leave offerings (like the small red torii in these photos, each of which is an offering for Inari) or burn candles.

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Purification is an important part of Shintō worship; visitors are supposed to use the dipper to cleanse their hands and mouths (by spilling water into the hand and raising it to the lips – you never put your mouth directly on the dipper) before approaching the holy place to pray.

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After a stop to pray, refresh, and rest, it’s time to continue up the mountain – and when this series resumes on Friday, we’ll finally reach the summit of Mount Inari.

If Friday has already come and gone, click here to continue the journey!