Koizumi Inari Shrine, Isesaki

Koizumi Inari Shrine, located in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, stands as one of northern Japan's most visually striking Inari shrines. This scenic spot is the pride of Gunma and has been well known to local people since olden times as a miraculous shrine with various gods enshrined here, such as the ones for abundant harvests, household peace and prosperity, and business success. The shrine serves as a spiritual center for worshippers seeking blessings for agricultural prosperity and commercial success, maintaining its sacred role in the local community for generations.

The shrine's most distinctive feature is its impressive collection of torii gates that create dramatic tunnel-like pathways across the sacred grounds. Walk beneath the 200 torii gates around the sacred grounds of Koizumi Inari-jinja Shrine, with around 300 various large and small torii gates donated by people who have been very successful. The shrine features over 200 large and small torii gates on its shrine ground, including the largest torii gate (about 22 meter tall) in the Gunma Prefecture. These vermillion gates, contributed by grateful worshippers whose wishes were fulfilled, form three distinct rows of tunnels that provide a mesmerizing walk through the shrine complex.

Visitors can experience a contemplative journey through the multiple torii pathways, each representing answered prayers and successful endeavors of past devotees. The shrine becomes particularly photogenic during autumn when cosmos flowers, a representative flower of autumn, are in full bloom around the great torii gate around mid-October every year, with richly colorful cosmos flowers in white and pink sensations. The contrast between the vibrant red torii gates and the delicate cosmos creates exceptional photography opportunities against the backdrop of Mount Akagi.

Koizumi Inari Shrine is located at 231 Koizumicho, Isesaki, with free admission and free parking for 40 cars. The shrine is accessible by taking a 10-minute taxi ride from Kunisada Station on the JR lines, or visitors can drive from the Ota-Yabuzuka Interchange on the Kita-Kanto Expressway, which is approximately 5 minutes by car. By car or taxi, it's 10 minutes from JR Kunisada Station or 30 minutes from Maebashi city. For those traveling from Tokyo, the journey involves taking trains to Takasaki Station in Gunma Prefecture before connecting to local transport to reach the shrine.