Fushimi Inari is one of the most popular travel destinations in Kyoto among foreign visitors. The seemingly never-ending mountain trails lead visitors under thousands of vermilion torii gates (Senbon Torii). Along the way one can leisurely stop and take in gorgeous views of Kyoto from different vantage points, as well as many smaller shrines and restaurants offering regional food.
The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto goddess of rice, whose messengers were thought to be foxes. Because of this, you'll spot many fox statues and some cute fox merchandise along the hike. You may even see someone wearing a fox mask. Since it's difficult to see with the mask fully covering your face, the often practiced style is to wear them on one side or on the back of your head, like the child in the photo above.
Matsuya's Kitsune-chan Sembei
One particularly appealing merchandise item which we recommend is giant Japanese style sembei cookies in the shape of fox masks from Matsuya, a traditional confectionery gift shop conveniently located near Fushimi Inari station.
An original idea from Matsuya, the sembei cookies come in two types, full-size Kitsune-chan きつねちゃん (fox) or smaller size Kogitsune-chan 子ぎつねちゃん (baby fox), and are available in boxes of 5 or 10 cookies.
Here is the box of 5 Kitsune-chan cookies with its cute decoration of foxes:
While you can't wear them, you can pose with them. If you buy them going into the trail, you can take nice pictures with them with the backdrop of the gates, or you can enjoy them with your friends and family when you bring them home from your travels.
Fushimi Inari is one of the most popular travel destinations in Kyoto among foreign visitors. The seemingly never-ending mountain trails lead visitors under thousands of vermilion torii gates (Senbon Torii). Along the way one can leisurely stop and take in gorgeous views of Kyoto from different vantage points, as well as many smaller shrines and restaurants offering regional food.
tomcat | © PIXTA
The shrine is dedicated to Inari, the Shinto goddess of rice, whose messengers were thought to be foxes. Because of this, you'll spot many fox statues and some cute fox merchandise along the hike. You may even see someone wearing a fox mask. Since it's difficult to see with the mask fully covering your face, the often practiced style is to wear them on one side or on the back of your head, like the child in the photo above.
Matsuya's Kitsune-chan Sembei
One particularly appealing merchandise item which we recommend is giant Japanese style sembei cookies in the shape of fox masks from Matsuya, a traditional confectionery gift shop conveniently located near Fushimi Inari station.
An original idea from Matsuya, the sembei cookies come in two types, full-size Kitsune-chan きつねちゃん (fox) or smaller size Kogitsune-chan 子ぎつねちゃん (baby fox), and are available in boxes of 5 or 10 cookies.
Here is the box of 5 Kitsune-chan cookies with its cute decoration of foxes:
Photo by © grape Japan
Open the box to reveal the cookies sealed in a plastic bag with a pretty label.
Photo by © grape Japan
You can eat them immediately, if you wish...
Photo by © grape Japan
But since they're masks, you can also have some fun with them too.
Photo by © grape Japan
While you can't wear them, you can pose with them. If you buy them going into the trail, you can take nice pictures with them with the backdrop of the gates, or you can enjoy them with your friends and family when you bring them home from your travels.
Photo by © grape Japan
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