Last Updated: Sep 2, 2024

Motonosumi Inari Shrine

A Yamaguchi Prefecture Hidden Gem

This story was originally published on donnykimball.com and has been syndicated here on Medium.

If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve likely seen plenty of pictures of Motonosumi Inari Shrine. Located along the coast of the Sea of Japan in Yamaguchi Prefecture, this Shinto sanctuary is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Japan. Thanks to the influence of Instagram, the 123 torii gates of Motonosumi Inari Shrine have become something of a pilgrimage site for content-hungry creators looking for their next shot. Still, despite its recent rise to fame, the secluded location of Motonosumi Inari Shrine means that it largely maintains its off-the-beaten-path status.

As Shinto establishments go in Japan, Motonosumi Inari Shrine is actually quite new. The small shrine was only recently established in 1995 when a divine message was suddenly sent from a white fox spirit to a local resident of Nagato. These foxy figures are messengers of the deity of fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture, and industry, Inari Okami, hence Motonosumi Inari Shrine’s connection to this famous kami. Nowadays, locals go to pray for things like good fortune and healthy childbearing.

All in all, I would wager that Motonosumi Inari Shrine is a bit too far removed from any other major towns to warrant a visit on its own for anyone who isn’t a…