Awazu Ino Shrine

Inao Inari Shrine is said to have been established as a branch of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, though its exact founding date is unknown due to the loss of old records. While there are tens of thousands of Inari shrines across Japan, only about twenty bear the name “Inao,” making this shrine particularly unique.

One of the most striking features of the site is the unusual scene of the shrine’s approach intersecting with a railway line. When the railway was being constructed, it was not possible to reroute the track, so the railway company negotiated with the shrine. As a result, the line was laid directly through the space between the torii gate and the main hall. This rare sight of a shrine approach crossing a railway is something seldom seen in Japan. Visitors passing by should take a moment to stop and capture a photo of this remarkable view.