The stone fox guarding the entrance to Fushimi Inari Taisha holds a key in its mouth. This fox, or kitsune, acts as a messenger for Inari, the deity of rice and business. While most statues here stand empty-handed, this one carries the key to the granary where the precious rice harvest stays protected. Pilgrims offer small fried tofu pouches nearby, a snack believed to be the fox’s favorite food, keeping the spirit of the ancient harvest rituals alive at the gate.
Fox Statue at Fushimi Inari Entrance
monument
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