Hidden Secrets of Fushimi Inari: Bamboo Paths and Sake Village

Escape the crowds and uncover the hidden side of Fushimi Inari Taisha, one of Kyoto’s most iconic landmarks. This immersive tour takes you beyond the famous torii gates, leading you along serene forest trails, secret shrines, and breathtaking viewpoints that most visitors never experience. After a morning of exploration, we’ll dive into Kyoto’s renowned sake culture with an exclusive visit to a historic brewery in Fushimi, one of Japan’s most famous sake-producing districts.

Highlights

• Explore Fushimi Inari’s Hidden Trails: Journey off the beaten path and discover secluded sub-shrines, quiet bamboo groves, and panoramic vistas that showcase Kyoto from a new perspective.
• Learn the Secrets of Fushimi Inari: Uncover the rich history and spiritual significance of this sacred mountain while walking through tunnels of vermillion torii gates.
• Exclusive Sake Brewery Visit: Step inside a historic sake brewery in Fushimi, where you’ll learn about the time-honored brewing process and taste a selection of high-quality local sake.

Description

The adventure begins at JR Kyoto Station at 9:00 AM, where you will meet your guide before taking a short train ride to our starting point. While the train can be crowded, we will soon leave the bustle of the city behind as we walk through a quiet residential area, passing historic temples on the way to a hidden trailhead known only to locals.

Our hike will take us through a serene forest, where we will follow secluded paths leading to the summit of Inari Mountain. Along the way, we will encounter breathtaking viewpoints and discover lesser-known shrines tucked into the landscape. The descent brings us into the heart of Fushimi Inari Taisha, allowing time to admire the famous torii gates and capture stunning photos before moving on to the next part of our journey.

In the afternoon, we will take a train to Kyoto’s historic sake district, Fushimi, an area renowned for its pristine water and centuries-old brewing tradition. We will visit a shrine with sacred water believed to have healing properties, followed by time to explore a charming shopping street where you can enjoy lunch and browse for souvenirs.

Our final stop is one of Kyoto’s oldest sake breweries, where you will learn about traditional brewing techniques and sample three varieties of premium sake in a guided tasting session.

The tour concludes back at Kyoto Station, where your guide will be happy to assist with directions or recommendations for the rest of your stay.

MEETUP POINT

JR KYOTO STATION @ 9:00 A.M.

The meetup point is just outside the JR Kyoto Station Central gates. You will see us after exiting the JR central gates. We are waiting in front of the directory sign.

You may wait nearby there until the tour begins at 9:00 A.M. Be sure to look for the guide holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour sign. We highly recommend arriving early as Kyoto station can be quite crowded. 

NOTES

Included

• English speaking guide
• Transportation during the tour
• Entry fees at all tour locations

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Transportation to/from Kyoto Station

Other Information

• The hike covers approximately 7 km and requires a moderate level of fitness. Please come prepared with comfortable walking or hiking shoes, layered clothing, a backpack, water, snacks, and insect repellent. Due to the nature of the hike, this tour is not recommended for those with limited mobility. Please check the weather forecast before you head to the meetup point and prepare an umbrella or raincoat if necessary.
• In the summer, temperature highs are around 35 °C (95 °F) and above with extreme humidity. We recommend wearing something light and airy while minding sunburn and heatstroke. A parasol is highly encouraged.
• Winter temperatures average between 0℃-10℃ (32°F-50°F). Please wear warm clothing and footwear appropriate for cold conditions.