Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine 祐徳稲荷神社

While at the majestic Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine, you might forget for a moment that you are even in rural Saga. The shrine was founded in 1687, and this massive, vermillion-lacquered complex draws in several million visitors per year.

A 20-minute bus ride from Hizen-Kashima Station

From Saga Station, take the JR Kamome to Hizen-Kashima Station. The trip is around 20 minutes. From Hizen-Kashima Station, you can access a bus that will take you for a 20-minute ride to Yutoku Inari-jinja Stop. From there, the shrine is a six-minute walk.

The shrine is widely spread out with both stairs and an elevator to gain access to the gohonden, or main hall, which is 18 meters above ground. If you're feeling athletic and adventurous, continue up the pathways leading to the inner sanctuary. From the summit you can see a magnificent view from Kashima to the Ariake Sea.

Yutoku Inari-jinja Shrine is one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan and has been popular with people for prayers for prosperity in business, family fortune, abundant fishing, traffic safety, and other matters. They're generally marked with successions of red torii, or Shinto gates. The red colour is said to represent the warmth of spring, which is good for cultivation, hope and the vibrancy of life. The custom of dedicating red torii gates is also said to have spread during the Edo period as a means of prayer and thanksgiving for the fulfilment of wishes.