This is the most famous of all Japan's shrines dedicated to the deity Inari (highly popular kami of rice and sake). Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine stands on the slopes of Inari-san (Mount Inari) in Kyoto. Many small subshrines around the mountain are linked by paths of thousands tori, which stand so close that they form a tunnel.
The fox is believed to be messenger of Inari. There is always a pair of stone foxes before each of subshrines on Inari-san. Inari's foxes are helpful, but others are dangerous and bewitch people, sometimes even in the guise of beautiful woman.
