Hand-Toasted Senbei and Inari Sweets at the Gates of Fushimi Inari

At the foot of the thousand torii

Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of all the Inari shrines across Japan. Known for its vermilion "thousand torii," its approach is lined with long-established shops. This article introduces three places along the approach for hand-toasted senbei (rice crackers) and sweets.

Where the fox-shaped senbei began — Sohonke Hogyokudo

Sohonke Hogyokudo is a senbei shop on the approach to Fushimi Inari. Said to be the birthplace of kitsune (fox) senbei, it works white miso and sugar into the dough and toasts each cracker by hand. Its "suzu senbei" — a bell-shaped wafer holding a paper fortune — is another signature.

Hand-toasted inari senbei — Sohonke Inariya

Sohonke Inariya is a senbei shop along the approach. It toasts its inari senbei one at a time by hand, and you can sometimes watch the toasting from the storefront.

A tea salon by Tsubakido — Inari Saryo

Inari Saryo is a tea salon run by the tea merchant Tsubakido, set inside the Teichoan rest house. It serves Inari-themed parfaits and sets of fresh wagashi with tea — a good place to pause between climbs.

Before you go

Shops along the approach get busy depending on the season and time of day, and items may sell out or hours may change. Come early, and check each shop's official channels or Google Maps for the latest.