Tokyo’s Anamori-Inari Shrine

Immediately after leaving this station, you will see this cute fox statue, nicknamed “Kon-chan”. Although the Japanese word for fox is usually “Kitsune”, this is a special fox, believed to possess special power that can protect the area in which it is located

After walking along the main shopping street for several moments, be sure to look towards the left, along the side-streets where you will see this distinctive red ‘tori’ or gate. This gate marks the entrance to Anamori-Inari Shrine

Once inside the grounds of this Shrine you will notice many small stone monuments. In Japanese these are called “Oyashiro”, meaning small places of worship

Situated to the right of the inner shrine (main building), I finally came face to face with some Inari, (White-foxes)

Although the simple translation for fox is “kitsune”, “inari” means a special white fox which, according to the Shinto Religion is believed to be a messenger from of the gods. Generally speaking, ‘Inari’ are usually worshipped (among other things), as the god of rice and cultivation

As you look towards the right of the main shrine, you will see a trail of red ‘tori’, similar to those of Kyoto’s world famous Fushimi Inari Shrine