Fushimi Inari with a Stroller: Where You Can and Can’t Go
Japanese people take their babies to visit shrines. They go to a shrine one month and one hundred days after the birth to thank the deity for the child's growth—a custom rooted in the historically high infant mortality rate.
I, too, once visited Fushimi Inari Taisha with my baby in a stroller. After making a donation at the shrine office, a Shinto priest offers prayers for the child at the main hall.
So, if you were to ask, "Can I visit Fushimi Inari Taisha with a stroller?" my answer is yes. At the very least, you can make it to the main hall. There are some steps along the way, but they aren't particularly steep; you can simply lift the stroller to get past them.There's also a slope.
However, you should not go beyond the main hall. There are steep stairs leading up to the famous Senbon Torii (Thousands of Torii Gates) path, making it difficult to carry a stroller up them. Furthermore, the Senbon Torii path is always crowded with tourists; bringing a stroller there would be dangerous for both your baby and the other people.
If you use a baby carrier instead of a stroller, you might be able to reach the Senbon Torii gates. However, if I were you, I wouldn't go any further than that with a baby, even with a carrier. The path beyond that point is a hiking trail up Mount Inari. If you wish to thank the gods for your baby's growth, please don't take unnecessary risks.
There are diaper-changing stations in the restrooms on the shrine grounds. However, there are few places available for nursing. While shrine staff are sometimes kind enough to offer up office space for this purpose, it is best to take care of nursing at your hotel or guesthouse before you go.
There is a café along the approach to the shrine. If you ask the staff, they will likely provide hot water or let you use a microwave to heat it up. There is also a rest area within the shrine grounds.But, these places are often crowded. If the staff are busy, they might not be able to assist you, and you may not be able to get enough rest. If your baby looks tired, you should head back to your hotel early.
Wishing you and your baby a comfortable and wonderful time.