Saijo Inari

Saijo Inari, officially known as Myōkyōji Temple, ranks among Japan's three great Inari shrines alongside Fushimi Inari in Kyoto and Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture. Located in Okayama Prefecture in the city of Okayama, this temple was founded in 752 during the Nara period, making it over 1,270 years old. Despite being a Buddhist temple rather than a Shinto shrine, it is dedicated to Inari, the deity of rice, agriculture, and prosperity, reflecting the syncretic nature of Japanese religious practice before the Meiji period separation of Buddhism and Shinto.

The temple grounds span a vast area and feature an impressive collection of religious architecture. The main hall, or honden, serves as the primary worship site, while the grounds contain numerous smaller shrines and statues of fox messengers, which are traditional symbols of Inari. The temple's most distinctive feature is the tunnel of vermillion torii gates that wind through the hillside, creating dramatic pathways that visitors can walk through. While not as extensive as Fushimi Inari's famous thousands of gates, Saijo Inari's gates offer a similar atmospheric experience with fewer crowds.

Visitors to Saijo Inari can explore the temple complex freely, walking through the torii gate tunnels and visiting various worship halls scattered across the grounds. The site is particularly popular during Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the new year, when hundreds of thousands of worshippers come to pray for good fortune. Throughout the year, visitors can purchase traditional omamori amulets and ema prayer plaques, or participate in the customary practice of making offerings at the fox statues by placing coins or leaving small portions of fried tofu, believed to be the fox messengers' favorite food.

The temple is accessible from JR Okayama Station via the JR Seto-Ōhashi Line or JR Honshi-Bisan Line to Bizen-Nishigawa Station, followed by a 15-minute walk or short taxi ride. Alternatively, buses run from Okayama Station directly to the temple area. The temple grounds are open daily and admission is free, though donations are welcomed. Parking facilities are available for those traveling by car, particularly useful for visitors exploring the broader Okayama region, which includes attractions like Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden.