Tips for walking around Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine
If you walk around the area near Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine without any particular purpose, you might get lost. This area has densely packed houses and lots of narrow streets. There are two train tracks and a small canal running.
Often, when you leave a maze-like path, you end up stuck in front of water. So, it's better to believe that 'narrow paths lead to dead ends' and stick to strolling along the main roads where cars run.
In front of the main gate of Fushimi Inari Taisha, a traditional road called "Honmachi Street" runs north to south. If you walk 100 meters north from the main gate, you'll reach an intersection with an east-west road.
This road is called the 'Urasando (back approach)'. To the east, it leads to the back gate of Fushimi Inari. To the west, it crosses a canal and continues to the Fushimi Inari private train station.
On both sides of the streets, there are shops for tourists. Some of them charge way too much for the quality. On the other hand, there are also spots that locals love as hangouts.
OK, you’re a tourist. You have the right to enjoy yourself without worrying about the price. But from a local’s perspective, there are better places. The quality isn’t the best, but it’s worth the price. I’ve always wanted to tell people about those kinds of places.