Popularly called “Oinari-san” this is one of the most popular Shinto shrines in the country. During the initial three days of the New Year, more than 2.5 million well-wishers visit this shrine to pray for their safety and happiness in the year ahead. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine is the head shrine of some 30,000 Inari shrines in all Japan. The shrine record says that in 711, Inari Okami chose this hill for the shrine to be placed. Enshrined by the Hata clan to worship the god of rice and sake in the 8thcentury, it started as a private shrine of the Hatas. After being granted an official rank and status as a guardian shrine of Toji Temple by Emperor Junna in the 9thcentury, the worship of the Inari god apread all over Japan to ensure prosperity in business and the fulfillment of various wishes. Once it belonged to the Association of Shinto Shrines, but now it constitutes and independent religious corporation.