Yūtoku Inari Shrine is a stunning Shinto shrine located in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture. It is one of Japan’s three major Inari shrines, alongside Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto and Kasama Inari Shrine in Ibaraki. Founded in 1688, the shrine is dedicated to Inari, the deity of agriculture, prosperity, and success, making it a popular destination for prayers related to business and personal success.
The shrine is renowned for its vivid vermilion structures, including the magnificent main hall (honden), which is built into the hillside and supported by impressive wooden stilts. This architectural style is reminiscent of Kyoto’s Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Visitors can climb the pathways and staircases leading up the mountainside for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
