Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine

Hidden Gem Near Yokosuka

Somewhere off the beaten path… well off the beaten path… lie the remains of a dilapidated Inari shrine that’s nestled within the hills near the base in Yokosuka. This hidden gem is known as Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine and is located about as far off the beaten path as one can wander. In fact, the shrine is so secluded that it doesn’t even have a specific address! While I honestly don’t expect any traveler to Japan to actually consider visiting, the shrine has long since been on my to-do list ever since seeing this RocketNews24 article in 2016. So, indulge me a bit here!

From what I can gather, this shrine was originally constructed sometime during the early years of the Showa period (1926–1989). Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine is located in the middle of an extremely quiet little neighborhood and still used by the locals today despite its shambled appearance. Much like with the parent shrine in Kyoto, Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine sports numerous vermilion torii gates and is dedicated to the same deity. Other than this however, this is little background information available for this secluded shrine.

How to Get There

As remote as this shrine’s location sounds, the journey is not really that difficult. All you’ll need to do is take the JR Yokosuka Line to Taura Station. That said, be sure the train you’re hopping on does not stop at Zushi Station and goes all the way to Kurihama Station. As always, consult with Jorudan or a similar service before departing for best transit times.

Once you have arrived at Taura Station the real fun begins. Fushimi Hakuseki Inari Shrine is located a good 20 minutes walk from Taura Station. This residential area is not home to any convenience stores or the like so you’d be wise to grab a bottle of water before setting out. As with almost anything worth visiting in Japan, this shrine will involve a good deal of stairs.

To find the shrine, you will need to closely follow Google maps. Use this link to navigate your way to the shrine. Keep your eyes peeled for the white flags and narrow crossing above…