Inari+shrines

The Inari shrines were built to worship the god Inari. More than one third of all shrines in Japan are all dedicated to Inari.

The entrance of the shrines normaly have two kitsune (Japanese word for fox) statues one for the male one for the female. Most of these statues have a red bib around their necks called yodarekake. Each of these statues have symbolic objects ether under their front paw or in their mouth, such as a jewel, a key, a sheaf of rice, a scroll, or a fox cub. Each and every statue is unique - no two are exactly the same. Food offerings are given at the shrines to pleasure the kitsune messengers. Food offerings are very important and people even sell food by the shrines so people have something to offer if they did not bring any.