Do you all know that in Japan, the temple which deifies the fox is called Inari and is considered as various guardian deities? Inari is represented as a fox and has been worshiped as the god of commerce and good fortune for centuries. The Toyokawa Inari Shrine is one of the three most prominent Inari places of worship.
Located in Toyokawa-cho, it is one of the leading Inari-jinja in Japan. The shrine was founded by Zen master Tokai Geiki in 1441 and is in fact sacred to both the Shinto and the Buddhism. There are about hundreds of foxes of all sizes that are crammed into the small grounds of the complex. Most of them have red cloth bibs and there are also flags with the names of donors.
There are 100 shrines erected at various points of the complex. A wooden standing statue of the Jizo-Bodhisattva is designated as a national cultural property. Behind the main buildings through the Tsutenro camphor wooden corridor are forest paths lined with Senbon Nobori streamers. The devotees purchase flags wishing for good fortune (in business, in exams or in love).
Toyokawa Inari shrine receives over 6 million visitors a year, with many coming at New Year and for the spring and autumn festivals.
Image Credit for the first picture.
Source: Japan Visitor
Toyokawa Inari Shrine Picture Gallery
