If you’re going to Japan, you’re probably planning on visiting the infamous Fushimi Inari or 10,000 Tori Gates in Kyoto. It is an absolute must see, however, it can be INCREDIBLY crowded. You might wonder how all of these influencers manage to get pictures and videos without another soul in sight. I’m going to share two secrets to getting the perfect profile picture at Fushimi Inari.

Let’s start with the basics.

First things first let’s talk about what Fushimi Inari actually is, and how to get there. Inari is the Shinto god of foxes, fertility, rice, tea, sake, agriculture and industry, general prosperity and worldly success. There are many shrines throughout Japan dedicated to Inari, however this one is the most popular and important. Fushimi Inari is a highlight for most people’s trip to Japan, and it is one of the most iconic sights in the country. Each gate is donated by a local business, and there are just over 10,000 Tori Gates. All of the gates are a bright red color and lined as far as the eye can see, making for a beautiful walk and the opportunity for some great photos.

Fushimi Inari is easily accessible by train, and isn’t too far from the infamous Gion district in Kyoto. There are multiple stations close to the shrine, and Google Maps can easily guide you from wherever your accommodation might be. There are multiple ways to enter Fushimi Inari, but I personally recommend going up the path that is directly across from the Daily-Yamazaki store. You’ll see a massive Tori Gate and a path that leads up toward the main shrine.

You can choose a casual stroll or a small hike.

If you’re just wanting to get some photos and see some gates, you can do a short 20 minute walk through the first set of gates and head back to the main shrine. This path is relatively flat and doesn’t require too much effort.

If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge, you can head to the summit of Mount Inari. From the bottom of the first set of stairs, it takes about 30 minutes to get to the top. It is a lot of stairs and uphill walking, but it comes with some beautiful views and photo opportunities. The path creates a loop around the top, and the round trip takes approximately one hour without taking many breaks. Make sure to bring some water with you or have change to grab something from the vending machines along the way!

So how do I avoid the crowds and get the perfect photo?

Now the question you’re all wondering, how do I see Fushimi Inari without the crowds? I’m going to give you 2 pieces of advice that will help you to get that perfect photo op!

First way to avoid the crowds is to arrive just before sunrise. Fushimi Inari never actually closes, so you can go any time. If you arrive just before sunrise there will only be a handful of people around, and getting pictures without other people in them is a piece of cake. Depending on the time of year the time you need to arrive varies, but usually sometime between 5am and 6am. This sounds incredibly early, but I promise it’s worth it. As someone who has been at sunrise and also a few hours after sunrise, I’ll happily drag myself out of bed at the break of dawn to have a more peaceful and enjoyable experience. Not to mention you can take your time walking through the gates, and not have to elbow your way through a wall of tourists and schoolchildren. Arriving at this time means that you can get great content in almost any part of the shrine, as there’s barely anyone around at that time. In the summer it is a great way to avoid the heat as well, as it gets very hot as the day goes on.

Now I understand some of you may not be so keen to have to be up before the sun is, and I have a solution for that too! The next option requires a bit more effort, but allows you to arrive at any time. Remember I mentioned there is a small hike you can do to the summit of Mount Inari? Well majority of people won’t actually do this hike, and will stick to the first set of gates at the bottom. If you head up toward the summit, the higher you go the less people there will be. Now this will require you to climb quite a few stairs, however it is always less crowded at the top. I’ve done this hike up around 9am and 10am and have been able to get some great content without anyone else around. While it is jam packed near the main shrine and you can barely get through the crowd, there are only a handful of people at the top. If you’re doing this option, make sure to leave yourself lots of time to do the loop and get your content. I would avoid doing this during the heat of the day in the summer, as it will be incredibly hot.

Now you can plan your Fushimi Inari visit in order to get some great shots without a sea of tourists in every photo. Follow along for more Japan travel content as well as loads of advice for travel. You can find me on Instagram @travellingaly for travel inspiration and travel tips!