Yutoko Inari Shrine

Samantha has been really wanting to go to an Inari shrine, so we made a day trip to Kashima city. Located near the city is the 3rd largest Inari shrine of all Japan, you may have seen photos of the largest one in Kyoto (Fushimi Inari). The Yutoko shrine was constructed in 1688, so the historical significance was quite impressive. Inari shrines are marked by their bright orange torii gates. We didn’t count them, but we guess that there must have been at least a couple hundred at this shrine. The shrine grounds were exceptionally beautiful. The shrine was built into the mountainside with torii that wrapped their way around the mountain led the way deep into the forest. 

We were also just in time to catch some great fall colors, so we were very happy about that.