The complexes’ main gate features a 4.5m high, 1.8m wide and 3cm thick door made of a single slab of wood. A secondary Buddhist temple gate houses two large ferocious looking Nio temple guardian deities, while nearby, a stone Shinto torii gate welcomes visitors in.

The temple’s Treasure House features an Important National Cultural Asset designated statue of the god, Jizo Bodhisattva, an ornate wooden palanquin for use by a noble woman, hanging scrolls, folding screens and other historical items.

The 30m high main prayer hall is an architectural mix of Shinto with strong Buddhist influences, and was constructed using whole zelkova trees. To the right of the main building is a stairway leading under the enclosed walkway joining the main shrine with the Myogen Temple, (housing a carved statue of the One Thousand Handed Senju Kannon, Goddess of Mercy). The path leads to a part of the complex many miss. Amongst the huge trees and along winding colonnades of votive flags, are smaller shrines to various deities. Behind the Okuno-in pavilion featuring some very finely carved pillars, is the Reiko-Zuka, a hillside of red-bibbed stone foxes, messengers to the gods.

The offer of prosperity and success through worshipping here has attracted many famous warriors throughout the ages, and reads like a who’s who of Japanese history. Oda Nobunaga, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu amongst many others have all come to the Toyokawa Inari to pray for victory in battle. Even in these modern times, many people seeking good luck in their business endeavors visit the shrine to pray for success.

The Toyokawa Inari receives around five million visitors each year, and is particularly busy at New Years. The complex hosts 3 main annual festivals, the Great Spring Festival in May, the Mitama Festival in August and the Toyokawa Great Autumn Festival late November.

The street running directly in front of the main gates offers a wide range of over 100 local specialties, restaurants, cafes and souvenirs and makes for an enjoyable stroll. Local delicacies include Inari Zushi, said to be a favorite with foxes, a slightly sweetened pouch of fried tofu stuffed with sushi rice. You’ll find fox shaped cookies and sponge like pastries filled with sweet red bean paste.

Feel the history and the culture at the ancient Buddhist temple and Shinto shrine known as Toyokawa Inari, in Aichi’s Toyokawa City.