Visiting Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine in Winter

Last Updated on March 3, 2026 by Charlotte

Two visitors standing beneath the bright red torii entrance at Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine, surrounded by snow-covered trees.

Perched on the slopes of Mt. Moiwa, the Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine was established in 1884 as a branch of Kyoto’s famous Fushimi Inari Taisha, bringing a piece of that iconic vermilion-gate experience to Hokkaido. Because the Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto is perhaps my all-time favorite shrine in Japan, this mini 27-gate-long Fushimi Inari Shrine in Sapporo was high on my bucket list. Here’s what to expect when visiting this intimate northern version of Japan’s most iconic shrine, and how to plan your own visit.

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Exploring Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine

We visited Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine the day after a huge snowstorm, so the entire shrine grounds were under a foot of snow. This made the path up through the torii gates to the main shrine very treacherous and slippery, and we saw a woman slip and fall on her bottom. Nonetheless, the red torii gates were stunning against the crisp white snow.

Empty corridor of red torii gates stretching into the distance, dusted with snow along a quiet forest path.

After carefully making our way up the snowy path, we stopped at the main shrine to pray. The Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine enshrines five deities, with the main deity Uganomitama no Mikoto (popularly known as “Inari-sama”) revered as the guardian of food, harvest, and business prosperity.

Red shrine lantern almost swallowed by deep snow, with bare branches and winter woods behind it.

The other deities offer blessings for relationships, family safety, and skill improvement, which makes this shrine an all-over “power spot” for any life wishes you might have.

Snowy parking lot to Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine, with tall trees, a small wooden shelter, and red torii gates peeking through the winter landscape.

If you’re unfamiliar with how to pray at a Shinto shrine, check out this short clip before you go. There’s a donation box at the main shrine, and I’d encourage you to consider making an offering because we noticed that the grounds are falling into disrepair, and I think that they could use some monetary help for maintenance.

Hands holding a paper omikuji fortune and a tiny fox charm, with a red torii gate framed by snowy trees in the background.

After praying, we stopped in the shrine office to purchase a fortune and a small white fox votive (700 yen). Overall, our whole visit took about 30 minutes, and I was pleased that we made this stop on our Sapporo itinerary.

How to Visit Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine

Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine is open 9:00 AM–4:00 PM daily, and it’s located on the slopes of Mt. Moiwa. To get there by public transit, you can take the JR Hokkaido Bus to Jikeikai-mae stop (about a 3-minute walk), or you can take the Sapporo streetcar to Nishisen 14-jo stop (about a 15-minute walk). Both the streetcar and the bus accept IC cards / Suica.

A Brief Note on Photography

This shrine has implemented a policy prohibiting professional and commercial photography within the grounds. Given how small and intimate this shrine is compared to Kyoto’s sprawling Fushimi Inari complex, I completely understand why even one professional setup would dominate the entire experience for other visitors. If you’d like to take non-commercial non-professional photos, you can check in with the shrine office to seek permission.

Was it Worth the Trip?

If you love Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari but want a quieter, more intimate experience, absolutely. The 27 vermilion gates create a beautiful focal point without the overwhelming crowds, and the Mt. Moiwa setting gives it a distinctly Hokkaido character, especially gorgeous under freshly fallen snow.

line of vivid red torii gates at Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine.

Ready to Plan Your Trip to Hokkaido?

After you visit the Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine, be sure to check out the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway. This gondola is only a 12-minute walk away from the Sapporo Fushimi Inari Shrine, and has fantastic views over the city and surrounding mountains. Lastly, I am so excited to share more of Hokkaido with you! So keep checking back for new things to do in Japan’s winter wonderland.